Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are both set to put pen to paper as they complete respective transfers to Chelsea.
Xabi Alonso’s impact in Chelsea’s 2026 transfer market has been evident from the very beginning. From Premier League-proven starlets in Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix to experienced veterans in Welbeck and Henderson, It's clear that Xabi has identified weaknesses in this Chelsea squad.
Both signings are aged 35 or over, the first time the club have done so since the BlueCo takeover of 2022. Before Welbeck (35), the last player the club signed aged 35 or older was Thiago Silva in 2020, and we all know that story!
Alonso claims he reportedly severely lacked Veteran leadership in his Real Madrid squad earlier this season, with many key players such as Vinicius, Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga publicly revolting about Xabi’s tactics.
The Spaniard is evidently keen to prevent this at his new club with these experienced introductions, but is it the right move for Chelsea?
In fact, an inability to see out games proved to be a remarkable issue for the Blues in the 25/26 season as Chelsea dropped 19 points from winning positions, which took them from a potential third in the league to an underwhelming tenth-place finish.
**Danny Welbeck**
-----------------
Welbeck will reportedly sign for the Blues from Brighton on a two-year contract, expiring in 2028 when the Englishman will turn 37.
Danny signed for the Seagulls in the summer of 2020 following a wealth of Premier League experience at Manchester United, Arsenal, Sunderland and more, with his debut stretching back to 2008!
Last season proved to be an overly successful one for the striker as he netted 14 goals and 2 assists and helped his side achieve Conference League qualification.
Welbeck also has a remarkable record of scoring against the Blues with seven goals in his appearances Vs Chelsea, the most he has ever scored against one particular team alongside West Ham.
The striker has a whopping 42 England caps to his name, netting 16 times for his country between the years of 2011 and 2018.
The Englishman’s trophy cabinet is also nothing short of a spectacle. Danny has picked up three Premier League winners' medals, a Champions League, a Club World Cup, two FA Cups, an EFL Cup and six Community Shields in his time with Man Utd and Arsenal.
**Jordan Henderson**
--------------------
Jordan Henderson is reportedly set to sign for the Blues on a free transfer, also on a two-year deal, but this time from West London rivals Brentford on a deal that will likely see the former Premier League Captain to the end of his career.
Jordan spent the majority of his career with Liverpool, where he stayed for 12 years from 2011 to 2023. ‘Hendo’ has also spent time with Ajax, Brentford and Sunderland, where he actually partnered up with Welbeck in the 2010/11 season as well as in numerous England International camps.
Henderson appeared 34 times in his return season to the Premier League after three years away, picking up four G/A’s from a defensive midfield position in that time.
The midfielder is also something of an England Legend, having made 91 appearances for the _Three Lions_ across seven International tournaments, the most tournaments of any England player ever since his debut back in 2010 to the 2026 World Cup.
Similar to Welbeck, Jordan’s trophy cabinet is also a remarkable one! Jordan has won the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the Super Cup, the Club World Cup and the Community Shield!
**Will it work?**
-----------------
Will Chelsea’s gamble on these Premier League veterans pay off? It’s difficult to predict, but between the pair, they both certainly know how to win a trophy or two and have proven themselves in the league unlike some of Blueco’s former signings.