Chelsea's transfer policy has reportedly taken a surprising turn this summer, with the club working on deals to add veteran players Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck to Xabi Alonso's squad. This marks a significant shift from their previous youth-focused strategy.
The club has pursued several players in their 30s, having previously signed only one player over 25 since summer 2023. Chelsea also reportedly missed out on other experienced targets, John Stones, 32, and Granit Xhaka, 33.
This change follows Chelsea's 10th-placed finish in the Premier League last season, during which they accumulated eight red cards. The club's Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain, marked by individual errors and ill-discipline, also reportedly influenced the decision to recalibrate the squad.
Despite this shift, Chelsea are still acquiring young talent, with Morgan Rogers, 24, joining for £117m, and Marco Palestra, 21, and Geovany Quenda, 19, also signing. Seventeen-year-old Kazakh striker Dastan Satpayev scored in Alonso's first friendly match.
Alonso will be hoping new recruits have an immediate impact. Henderson and Welbeck are known for bringing positive energy and professionalism to a squad, with Welbeck having made at least 36 appearances for Brighton in each of the past four seasons.