Report: Xabi Alonso eyes Chelsea reunion with Premier League midfielder | OneFootball

Chelsea Eye Granit Xhaka Reunion as Xabi Alonso Looks for Control

Chelsea transfer interest grows around Granit Xhaka

Credit to The Guardian for the original information, with Jacob Steinberg reporting that Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka.

It is the sort of rumour that feels, at first glance, slightly odd, then increasingly logical the longer it sits in the mind. Chelsea, a club often associated with youth, acceleration and market speculation, are considering a player who turns 34 in September. Yet the appeal of Xhaka is not difficult to understand.

“Chelsea are interested in signing Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka, who was a key player for Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.”

That line carries the heart of the story. Xhaka is not merely another experienced midfielder. He is someone Alonso knows, trusts and clearly values.

Xabi Alonso connection matters

Xhaka helped define Alonso’s Leverkusen side, bringing rhythm, authority and a sense of order to a team that won the Bundesliga title in 2024. For Alonso, now shaping Chelsea in his own image, familiarity may matter as much as profile.

The Guardian reports: “Alonso is keen to add experience to Chelsea’s squad and has identified the Switzerland midfielder as a player of interest.”

That feels significant. Chelsea have collected talent at pace in recent years, yet talent alone rarely gives a team structure. Xhaka, at his best, plays like a metronome with elbows, slowing matches, speeding them up, pointing, organising and quietly annoying opponents into submission.

Sunderland stance creates transfer complication

Sunderland, understandably, are not expected to roll over. Xhaka joined last summer, has two years left on his deal and played a major role in their remarkable qualification for the Europa League after promotion.

“Sunderland are determined not to sell and are expected to fight to hold on to him.”

That is where the deal becomes delicate. Chelsea are unlikely to pay a major fee for a player of Xhaka’s age, no matter how strong the Alonso connection may be. Sunderland, meanwhile, have every reason to treat him as more than an asset. He is a symbol of their rise, a leader in a dressing room that has rapidly outgrown expectations.

Stamford Bridge summer takes shape

This report also hints at a wider Chelsea reshuffle. Marc Cucurella has been sold to Real Madrid, who could also try to sign Enzo Fernández. Chelsea have already agreed a deal for Atalanta right-back Marco Palestra, while Como are interested in Trevoh Chalobah.

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“Chalobah, who is part of England’s World Cup squad, is valued at £30m plus £5m in add-ons.”

Chelsea are also said to be monitoring West Ham wingers Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville, which suggests Alonso’s rebuild may not be subtle. It may be broad, practical and slightly ruthless.

Xhaka would not be a signing for resale value. He would be a signing for the next training session, the next difficult away game, the next moment when a young side needs someone to make football feel less frantic.

For Chelsea, that might be worth pursuing. For Sunderland, it might be worth resisting with everything they have.

Our View, EPL Index Analysis

From a curious Chelsea supporter’s point of view, this one is fascinating because it does not feel like the usual Stamford Bridge transfer story. Xhaka is not a shiny project player, nor a £90m bet on future potential. He is a grown-up footballer, and Chelsea have needed a few more of those for some time.

The Alonso link makes sense. Managers often return to players they trust because those players understand the demands before the first tactical meeting has even started. Xhaka would know when to drop, when to dictate, when to draw fouls and when to calm the noise. Chelsea have had plenty of energy in midfield, but control has not always followed.

The concern is obvious. Age, wages and fee all matter. Paying heavily for a player who turns 34 in September would be difficult to justify, especially when Sunderland do not want to sell. Chelsea should not get dragged into an expensive negotiation for sentiment or familiarity.

Yet if the price is sensible, this could be clever. Not every signing has to be about tomorrow’s profit. Some are about making the team better now. Xhaka might not be the future of Chelsea, but he could help the future arrive in a more organised shape.