Xabi Alonso, Chelsea
© IMAGO
Analysis
Chelsea have made a number of huge transfer blunders since the arrival of BlueCo as their new owners, but they have sought to rectify several of these errors since the beginning of the 2026 summer window.
After hiring Xabi Alonso as their first ‘manager’ since Jose Mourinho back in 2013, Chelsea officials have ceded a great deal of transfer power to their new boss. The result? Arguably their best transfer window in at least half a decade.
Having pre-agreed deals for Geovany Quenda, Emmanuel Emegha, Denner and Dastan Satpaev ahead of the window, Chelsea have allowed Alonso to have a direct say in their transfer business and the Spaniard has made great strides to fix the holes in the current squad.
The lack of a versatile attacker capable of playing off the left flank has been rectified by the club-record signing of Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix has been purchased to solidify Chelsea’s backline, and both Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson have been signed to address the immaturity that has been rife at Stamford Bridge for years.
Chelsea’s youthful squad have suffered the dire consequences of a lack of experience in recent seasons and while Welbeck and Henderson may not trouble Alonso’s favoured starting XI, their arrivals could be crucial in determining the Blues’ fortunes this season.
The latter, in particular, is a stellar signing for this reason.
Signing Jordan Henderson is a masterstroke
England boss Thomas Tuchel was slammed for his decision to take Henderson to the World Cup, but it was undoubtedly the correct call, despite his lack of impact on the pitch and the fact he broke his arm following the post-match celebrations versus Mexico.
The 26-year-old is a born leader and having won both the Premier League and the Champions League during his time as Liverpool captain, he has proven experience of achieving consistent success - a feat that Chelsea are aiming to replicate.
Chelsea have officially completed the signing of Jordan Henderson
© IMAGO - Chelsea have officially completed the signing of Jordan Henderson
Furthermore, a hidden reason behind Chelsea’s decision to sign Henderson may have been his relationship with the aforementioned Rogers.
Of course, Rogers already knows a number of players at Chelsea, including close friend Cole Palmer, but it can’t hurt to be surrounded by people you admire and Henderson certainly fits into that camp for the 24-year-old.
Speaking on England’s podcast alongside Jude Bellingham at the World Cup, Rogers admitted: “[He’s] the best guy I’ve ever come across in football.
“If people did a blind ranking of people they want at the camp beforehand, he’d be in everyone’s top five.
“He’s big for us two. We’re both emotional. I was annoyed the chances weren’t coming off and I’ll give him one look in the face, and he’ll let you know. Then, you’re just in a happy mood! That's just the way he is; he has that persona and that character.”
Meanwhile, following confirmation of Henderson’s move to Chelsea, the England attacker said on Instagram: “So happy” accompanied by three heart-eye emojis and four blue-heart emojis.
It’s clear that Chelsea’s decision to sign Henderson has appeased Rogers and if this can help the €138 million man settle in at Stamford Bridge, then it’ll undoubtedly be looked back upon as a genius transfer.
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