Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka has become the subject of intense transfer speculation, with multiple German reports claiming the 33-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Chelsea ahead of a possible summer move.
According to the German press, Chelsea have been monitoring Xhaka’s situation closely for several months, with internal discussions accelerating due to uncertainty over squad leadership and midfield balance.
The Swiss international, who has captained Sunderland and played a central role in their recent domestic success, is viewed as a short-term solution who could bring structure and authority to a relatively young CHELSEA midfield group.
Xhaka’s game has evolved significantly since his earlier Premier League spell with Arsenal. Once criticised for inconsistency and disciplinary lapses, he developed into a more disciplined deep-lying midfielder at Leverkusen, excelling in tempo control, long-range distribution, and positional organisation and has carried that on in the Premier League.
From Chelsea’s perspective, the reported interest is tied to both experience and leadership. The club have frequently lacked vocal on-field organisation in high-pressure matches, and Xhaka’s personality and tactical maturity are seen as valuable in a young dressing room still developing cohesion.
Opinion: would Xhaka be a worthwhile signing?
At 33, Xhaka would not represent a long-term investment, but he could still offer immediate value. For a side like Chelsea, who have often struggled with game management, his experience in controlling tempo and organising midfield structure could be useful—especially in tight Premier League matches.
That said, the signing would come with clear limitations. Xhaka lacks the athletic ceiling and long-term upside that Chelsea’s current recruitment model has typically targeted. He is also unlikely to significantly increase attacking output or solve creativity issues in advanced areas.
Ultimately, if CHELSEA view him as a short-term leadership figure who can stabilise performances under Alonso, the move makes sense in a narrow context. But if he is seen as a direct solution to long-term midfield planning, the deal would raise questions about squad direction and age profile balance.
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