Xabi Alonso will have been left frustrated by Chelsea’s inability – and perceived unwillingness – to sign Granit Xhaka. But Man City have just handed Chelsea the chance to sign the perfect alternative.
It is now widely reported that Alonso had asked BlueCo to sign Sunderland midfielder Xhaka. A move that would have seen Alonso and Xhaka reunite at Chelsea, after combining to work perfectly with Leverkusen.
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Described as a manager on the pitch, the belief was that 33-year-old Xhaka would raise standards and add some much-needed experience at Chelsea. His leadership would have been invaluable to Chelsea.
However, Sunderland were unwilling to sell their £17m signing. Chelsea clearly had issues with a deal for Xhaka anyway and were only willing to pay £8m, a ridiculously low fee for a player that offers so much.
It will have left Alonso frustrated. He could accept Sunderland’s stance, but Chelsea were not willing to test Sunderland’s resolve, and that is a concern. However, Man City have handed Chelsea a solution.
Man City make Mateo Kovacic available for transfer this summer
The Athletic claim that City are ready to cash in on Mateo Kovacic this summer. The Croatian midfielder left Chelsea for Man City in 2023, but has struggled to have an impact at City largely due to injury.
Arsenal v Chelsea - Premier League
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Fit again, Kovacic finds Rodri in his way, and a move is likely for the recently turned 32-year-old. Alonso needs a player who provides leadership, experience, and Premier League know-how; Kovacic in a nutshell.
Kovacic is much like Xhaka in many ways. Experienced at the top level, a key player for his country with 117 caps to his name, an excellent passer of the ball, and a player who has been there and done it.
The former Real Madrid ace remains well-liked at Chelsea after playing a key role in Thomas Tuchel’s Champions League-winning side against Man City in 2021. Chelsea have got to consider re-signing him.
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Chelsea's Moises Caicedo and Arsenal's Declan Rice confronting each other
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Just how similar are Kovacic and Xhaka on the pitch?
Off the pitch, they are very similar in terms of what they offer and how that experience and leadership can improve the quality of a team. But Xhaka and Kovacic are similar on the pitch too, looking at the numbers.
Both midfielders and progressive in terms of possession, both having an impact in the final third but also able to provide a defensive screen in front of the back line, and dictate the tempo of a match.
Granit Xhaka v Mateo Kovacic
Stat Category (Per 90) Mateo Kovacic Granit Xhaka
Passes Attempted 78.4 89.1
Pass Completion % 92.1% 88.5%
Progressive Passes 5.4 8.1
Passes into Final Third 6.1 9.4
Progressive Carries 4.2 1.1
Successful Take-Ons (Dribbles) 1.8 0.4
Tackles Won 1.9 1.3
Interceptions 0.9 1.1
Shots Total 0.6 1.3
Expected Goals (xG) 0.05 0.11
The key differences are that Kovacic will run with the ball, while Xhaka will look to get the ball forward via his elite passing range. In terms of Kovacic’s passing, he is slightly safer – but is willing to dribble forward.
Ultimately, these are minute differences, and alongside Moises Caicedo, that ability to progress up the pitch by going past players might actually suit Chelsea better. A no-brainer to bring him back to Chelsea.
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