BlueCo are going completely against their normal approach when it comes to a potential deal for Granit Xhaka, but as it turns out, it is something Chelsea rarely do anyway.
Chelsea’s initial £8m bid for 33-year-old Xhaka has been rejected, but talks are ongoing and a second offer is incoming. Xhaka wants to join Chelsea, and Alonso is desperate to reunite with the midfielder.
DISCUSS: Granit Xhaka is Chelsea’s perfect summer signing 🔟
It is a long time since Chelsea signed a player as old as Xhaka. Indeed, it’s only happened once in the four years BlueCo have been at the helm. Below are the last 10 players signed by Chelsea, aged 33 or older.
The last 10 players signed by Chelsea aged 33 or older
Marcus Hedman, 33 – 2006 (free transfer, previously at Celtic)
Jose Mourinho convinced Hedman to come out of retirement in November 2006 as goalkeeper cover. He had previously confirmed the end of his career at Celtic in the summer of 2005 – but he didn’t play.
Mineiro, 33- 2008 (free transfer, previously at Hertha Berlin)
Luiz Felipe Scolari brought the Brazilian midfielder to Stamford Bridge after an injury sustained by Michael Essien. But Mineiro only ever managed two games for Chelsea and left the club at the end of the season.
Mark Schwarzer, 40 – 2013 (free transfer from Fulham)
Schwarzer impressed, playing 12 times for the Blues and keeping eight clean sheets and conceding only eight goals – playing in the 3-1 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.
Soccer - Chelsea FC - An Audience with Didier Drogba Mark Schwarzer and Filipe Luis - Stamford Bridge
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Didier Drogba, 36 – 2014 (free transfer from Galatasaray)
A return of a legend. Drogba came in to provide cover for Diego Costa as Jose Mourinho guided Chelsea to the 2014-15 Premier League title. He scored seven goals in 40 games and added leadership.
Marco Amelia, 33 – 2015 (free transfer, previously at Lupa Castelli)
After a stint at AC Milan, Amelia was in Italy’s lower leagues when Mourinho picked him up. Thibaut Courtois had suffered a knee injury, but Amelia failed to play a single game during his time at Chelsea.
Eduardo, 33 – 2016 (free transfer from Dinamo Zagreb)
Brought in by Antonio Conte as cover, the Portugal international failed to make a single appearance for the Blues like Amelia and Hedman. He was the latest in a list of recent goalkeepers to never actually play.
Didier Drogba for Chelsea
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Willy Caballero, 35 – (free transfer from Man City)
Signed in 2017 from City, Caballero remained at Chelsea for four years and provided solid competition for Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper. He would play 38 times during his stint as Chelsea’s second-choice.
Rob Green, 38 – (free transfer from Huddersfield Town)
England international Green joined with Maurizio Sarri as manager, but it is claimed Sarri never had any input on the arrival. Green never played for Chelsea, but did hold the Europa League aloft in full kit.
Thiago Silva, 35 – (free transfer from PSG)
Would you take Thiago Silva back at the club?
Do you agree with John Terry?
The best of the lot. Experienced defender Thiago Silva arrived already as an icon of the game from PSG and starred for Chelsea. His kids are in the academy and many feel Chelsea have never replaced him.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, 33 – (£10.3m from Barcelona)
The only player on the list to cost a transfer fee, Arsenal icon Aubameyang joined Chelsea after an impressive stint with Barcelona under Xavi. He scored three goals in 21 and was sold to Marseille.
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