Xabi Alonso is repeating familiar transfer trick with Chelsea move for Jordan Henderson
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.
Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesXabi AlonsoJordan Henderson's proposed transfer to Chelsea has left fans more than a little baffled, although Xabi Alonso's move for the former Liverpool captain shouldn't come as a surpriseXabi Alonso is eyeing up a deal for former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson(Image: Getty Images)Chelsea’s move for Jordan Henderson has left fans more than a little perplexed - although perhaps we shouldn’t be so surprised to see Xabi Alonso go after the former Liverpool captain.According to reports, Henderson is being eyed up for a shock move to Stamford Bridge. The Blues are said to be the leading contenders to sign the 36-year-old, with a number of Premier League sides interested.Henderson’s current club Brentford is apparently ready to grant him a free transfer, despite the fact he still has a year left on his contract, having only joined the Bees from Ajax last summer.The development has led to some backlash from Liverpool fans, who feel that their former captain should not be entertaining a move to one of the Reds’ direct rivals.
Overall though, Henderson’s potential move to Chelsea just feels confusing more than anything else.The Blues have made a habit of snapping up young talent from across Europe over the last few years, overloading their squad with signings while failing to make any meaningful strides in the Premier League.Pundits and fans have bemoaned their lack of experience, particularly after dropping like a stone last season, having been in a battle with Liverpool for Champions League qualification midway through the campaign only to finish 10th after taking just seven points from their final 11 games.Chelsea is targeting both Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck(Image: Getty Images)Chelsea seems to have taken that criticism to the extreme, with The Athletic reporting that it is in for the 35-year-old Danny Welbeck as well as the 36-year-old Henderson.It seems like a strange ploy for a team wanting to fight for trophies and looking to return to the Champions League, but it is a plan that has worked for Alonso before. The former Liverpool midfielder is now in charge at Stamford Bridge, and has seemingly gone for his tried and tested method to get his new side firing again.Alonso seems to favor a mix of youth and experience - for his first full season at Bayer Leverkusen, he signed four players over the age of 27, including Granit Xhaka and Alex Grimaldo.
His side would of course go on to win an unbeaten domestic double, including a first ever Bundesliga title for the club.Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kitThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreLiverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.He went on to sign another four players over 27 the following season, and even tried to sign Xhaka again after landing at Chelsea this year only for Sunderland to push back, which has perhaps resulted in his move for Henderson.He moved away from that method during his one summer at Real Madrid, where Trent Alexander-Arnold was his oldest signing at the age of 26, while none of his other additions were older than 22.Alonso’s spell at the Bernabeu didn’t last long, and so it perhaps makes sense that he is now returning to his previous approach with transfers - although Welbeck and Henderson would represent by far his oldest ever signings.