Giorgio Contini is concerned about Chelsea‘s interest in Sunderland‘s Granit Xhaka impacting Switzerland’s World Cup campaign.
Xabi Alonso and the midfielder left Bayer Leverkusen for Real Madrid and Sunderland in 2025.
Los Blancos showed the exit door to the Spaniard in January, and he has since agreed to join the Blues.
The new Chelea manager wants to reunite with the Sunderland star at Stamford Bridge. He played a key role under Alonso in their title winning campaign during the 2024/25 season.
Recent claims in the UK state Régis Le Bris’ side have rejected an €8m bid from their Premier League rivals. The Black Cats have reportedly made it clear to Chelsea that they don’t plan to sell the 33-year-old.
Why there’s annoyance in Switzerland
Giorgio Contini, who played for and managed [as an assistant] Switzerland, is an expert for Blick. Speaking to their podcast, FORZA! he analyses the reports of Chelsea’s interest in Granit Xhaka.
There’s also been claims of the Sunderland midfielder having an agreement with the west London club.
After the newspaper point this out, Contini insists the focus should be on Switzerland’s Round of 32 clash against Algeria on Friday [UK time] and not on Chelsea.
“What bothers me is that these things are happening during the World Cup,” he said.
“Granit is very focused and can block that out, but we should be talking about the upcoming opponent, Algeria, not Chelsea. I’m not interested in what Granit does after the World Cup right now.”
The ex-forward, however, can understand why Alonso wants to sign the player for Chelsea.
“Chelsea aren’t just any club. And if I were Xabi Alonso and had the opportunity to sign Granit Xhaka, I would do it,” Contini explained.
Prior to the Sunderland transfer drama, Blick stated the atmosphere inside the national has been toxic because of Granit Xhaka making public criticisms. Germany’s Robin Gosens came out in defence of the midfielder.
What next for Chelsea and Sunderland
A few claims, especially from Germany, indicate the Blues haven’t given up yet on Granit Xhaka.
Chelsea would have given up already if they didn’t receive any positive signals from the midfielder.
It’ll be interesting to see how Sunderland react if the player were to ask for a transfer. He has a contract until 2028, and Transfermarkt value him at €8m. Sunderland value him at a great deal more.
🇵🇹 Eliezer Mayenda | Porto sources deny they’re close to signing Sunderland player
❌ Relay that he’s not even on their radar
🤔 Whether that’s the case or part of some convoluted transfer game will become clear soonhttps://t.co/Ac7WJuj4fO #safc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) June 29, 2026