England's Jordan Henderson ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match at Atlanta Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday July 1, 2026.
England's Jordan Henderson ahead of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match at Atlanta Stadium. Picture date: Wednesday July 1, 2026.
Jordan Henderson is in talks over a surprise move to Chelsea this summer, with the former Liverpool captain set for his fourth different club in four seasons.
Since leaving Liverpool under a cloud in 2023, Henderson has taken in a journeyman spell which has seen him spend time in Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands before returning to the Premier League.
A year after his free transfer to Brentford, the 36-year-old is now expected to make another switch – this time to join Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea.
The Athletic‘s David Ornstein is among those to report Chelsea‘s approach for the England midfielder, along with “multiple” other sides from the English top flight.
Brentford are prepared to grant Henderson a free transfer, effectively ripping up his contract a year early in order to facilitate a move and rid his salary from their wage bill.
Why Chelsea are targeting Jordan Henderson
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 24, 2025: Brentford's Jordan Henderson gives a thumbs up to supporters after the FA Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at the Brentford Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, October 24, 2025: Brentford's Jordan Henderson gives a thumbs up to supporters after the FA Premier League match between Brentford FC and Liverpool FC at the Brentford Community Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He is viewed as an alternative to Granit Xhaka, who was subject of an unsuccessful bid from Chelsea earlier in the summer as the Swiss opted to stay at Sunderland.
Chelsea‘s interest comes alongside a bid for veteran striker Danny Welbeck, with positive talks held over a transfer from Brighton.
It shows Alonso’s desire to add experience to a youthful squad, with no other active players boasting more Premier League appearances than Henderson (463) and Welbeck (400).
Jordan Pickford (362), James Tarkowski (340) and Virgil van Dijk (339) make up the rest of the top five.
Henderson’s questionable career post-Liverpool
Henderson was given a standing ovation on his return to Anfield with Brentford on the final day of last season, which proved controversial among supporters of the London club.
Brentford were still vying for one of the European spots when the game was paused to allow Henderson to receive applause from the fans of his former club, while TV camera operators entered the pitch to follow his movements.
He played 34 times for Brentford last season with 24 of those coming as a starter, but Keith Andrews is set to favour other options in midfield in the new campaign.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 22, 2020: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson (C) celebrate with Virgil van Dijk and the Premier League trophy as the Reds are crowned Champions after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game was played behind closed doors due to the UK government’s social distancing laws during the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 22, 2020: Liverpool's captain Jordan Henderson (C) celebrate with Virgil van Dijk and the Premier League trophy as the Reds are crowned Champions after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game was played behind closed doors due to the UK government’s social distancing laws during the Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Having drawn widespread criticism for joining Al-Ettifaq three years ago, Henderson only spent six months in Saudi Arabia before terminating his contract and signing for Ajax.
A year-and-a-half later, he then cut short his stay in Amsterdam to head back to the Premier League, with Liverpool the only club to receive a transfer fee – £12 million – for any of his moves in that time.
FotMob – Barcola, Akliouche, Rayan, Minteh
FotMob - Barcola, Akliouche, Rayan, Minteh