Chelsea turn to Henderson and Welbeck after ending Granit Xhaka chase | OneFootball

Chelsea have shifted focus to former Sunderland pair Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck after conceding defeat in their pursuit of Granit Xhaka.

Henderson, 36, is expected to leave Brentford on a free this summer and, according to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are leading the race. New head coach Xabi Alonso wants experience and leadership added to a youthful squad after first targeting Xhaka.

Sunderland rejected a £eight million offer and, after further talks, Xhaka opted to stay to lead the club into a first European campaign for over 50 years. Head coach Régis Le Bris said after the 4-2 loss to Liverpool in Nashville that Chelsea’s chase was over. “This topic is closed,” Le Bris said.

Le Bris added that Xhaka has been clear he loves Sunderland, intends to remain and help shape the club’s future, describing him as a good captain and a great leader. During Switzerland’s run to the World Cup quarter finals, Xhaka said the club had felt like home from day one, that family came first, and he was ready to make history there.

Chelsea have also opened talks with Brighton over Welbeck, who shone on loan at Sunderland in 2010-11. He has been a regular across a six-year spell and Brighton are not expected to block a move if a suitable fee is agreed. Any arrival could push former Sunderland loanee Marc Guiu further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Source: Sunderland Echo