Why Does Chelsea Want Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka?

This summer is already shaping up to be a transformational one for Chelsea. It’s needed. The Blues finished a lowly 10th in the Premier League table last season. The Stamford Bridge club went through three different managers as it struggled for any sort of positive traction over the course of the 2026/27 campaign.

Xabi Alonso will arrive as Chelsea’s new manager this summer and the club is making moves in the transfer market. Marco Palestra is expected to join from Atalanta to give Alonso another wide option, but perhaps the most surprising development so far is the Blues’ reported interest in Granit Xhaka.

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LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY – MAY 18: Granit Xhaka and Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer Leverkusen, celebrate after the team’s victory during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Augsburg at BayArena on May 18, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Xhaka was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League last season as Sunderland defied all expectations to finish seventh, three places above Chelsea. The 33-year-old is at the peak of his powers and would improve Alonso’s options in the centre of the pitch ahead of next season.

With Xhaka turning 34 in September, though, his signing would represent a significant shift in Chelsea’s transfer strategy. Until now, the Blues have focused on attracting some of the best young players in the world in the hope they will flourish at Stamford Bridge before being moved on for a sizable profit. Xhaka certainly isn’t young.

Alonso, however, needs experience in his squad, not just to achieve stronger results on the pitch next season, but to help bring through some of Chelsea’s young players. The presence of Xhaka would be an aid to the likes of Estevao, Cole Palmer and Alejandro Garnacho, all of whom are still finding their way in the sport.

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Chelsea’s Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernandez celebrates with Chelsea’s Ecuadorian midfielder Moises Caicedo (L) after scoring a 2-2 equalizer during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on March 11, 2026. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea’s midfield is arguably the strongest area of its team. Moises Caicedo has flourished into one of the best two-way operators in the world while Enzo Fernandez is someone who wants to drive the Blues forward whenever possible. Reece James has also been used in the centre of the field recently.

As a pace-setter, though, Xhaka is better than what Chelsea currently has. He might be 33, but the Swiss’ experience at the elite level comes through in the way he dictates games from his position at the base of the midfield. What’s more, Xhaka knows Alonso well from their time together at Bayer Leverkusen.

If Chelsea is to improve on last season’s dismal showing, it needs to make smart decisions in this summer’s transfer window and signing Xhaka could be a smart decision. Alonso needs players he can trust and the 33-year-old fits the bill even if his switch to Stamford Bridge would be a shock.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com