Chelsea Nears Deal for Granit Xhaka with Alonso's Support

Granit Xhaka has reached an agreement on personal terms with Chelsea as negotiations continue with Sunderland regarding his transfer, according to journalist Florian Plettenberg.

Chelsea’s manager, Xabi Alonso, is reportedly advocating strongly for Xhaka’s acquisition, reflecting their prior collaboration at Bayer Leverkusen.

During the 2023/24 Bundesliga season, Xhaka played a key role under Alonso’s management, contributing to Leverkusen’s league title and earning a spot in the Team of the Season.

If finalized, Xhaka would be Chelsea’s second signing this summer, following the imminent announcement of Marco Palestra’s transfer from Atalanta.

Why Chelsea Values Xhaka’s Experience

Chelsea’s transfer strategy this window focuses on securing seasoned players, and Xhaka fits this profile as a midfielder with extensive top-level European experience since 2012, beginning at Borussia Monchengladbach.

Last season, Xhaka was instrumental in Sunderland’s qualification for the UEFA Europa League, a campaign that saw them surpass Chelsea.

He led Sunderland in Premier League assists with six and was among the top three players for goal involvements, totaling seven.

Additionally, Xhaka ranked second in creating big chances with nine and key passes per game, while leading in accurate passes and long balls per game.

His defensive contributions were also notable, highlighting his comprehensive midfield capabilities.

Should the transfer proceed, Xhaka is expected to partner with Moises Caicedo in midfield, offering enhanced ball progression compared to Caicedo alone.

Statistics sourced from sofascore.com