Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea are giving off the impression that they have made drastic changes to their transfer policy this summer, however in reality they are continuing to copy how Brighton operate.
Supporter protests before huge games such as the FA Cup final looked to have got the message across to Behdad Eghbali that the club had to stop relying on signing young players for their success.
Premier League experience was targeted early in the transfer window, securing the signings of Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix.
Chelsea's potential XI for cup games
Chelsea's potential XI for cup games
Chelsea are copying Brighton’s transfer policy again
The Blues have now taken it to the extreme with the additions of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson. The duo both have over 400 appearances in the Premier League.
Some of the complaints aimed at Chelsea have revolved around the club adopting Brighton’s methods of doing business, and these will not go away following the signing of Welbeck from the South Coast.
Chelsea Unveil their New Signing Danny Welbeck
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
The English striker was one of the core leaders at the Amex alongside James Milner, a character the Blues have also replicated in Henderson.
Chelsea fans have been starved of any experience in the first team squad of late, and it feels as if they have been forced to believe the project is pivoting with these two signings.
However, on the face of it, the Blues have signed two players for a combined very low transfer fee, who are unlikely to play any real minutes for the first team squad next season.
The Blues actually missed out on their priority target to undertake this role too. Granit Xhaka was singled out by Xabi Alonso as the number one option to strengthen the midfield.
The Sunderland man would certainly have been able to play a more regular role in the first team squad, with him still having far more quality than Henderson.
Instead, the Blues have brought in two players who are going to be tasked with helping out in the dressing room, and therefore copying another tactic of Brighton rather than shifting to their own new style in the transfer market.