{"id":22259,"date":"2026-07-28T08:26:25","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T08:26:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22259"},"modified":"2026-07-28T08:26:25","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T08:26:25","slug":"chelsea-receive-blunt-response-from-sunderland-for-granit-xhaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22259","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea receive blunt response from Sunderland for Granit Xhaka"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea\u2019s attempt to add more leadership and experience to their midfield appears to have reached a dead end, with Sunderland refusing to entertain a sale of club captain Granit Xhaka.
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New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso was reportedly interested in working with the midfielder again following their successful spell together at Bayer Leverkusen.<\/p>\n

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However, Sunderland\u2019s position is clear: Xhaka remains a central part of their plans, and the club have no intention of allowing him to leave after only one season at the Stadium of Light.<\/p>\n

Sunderland declare Chelsea pursuit \u201cclosed\u201d<\/h2>\n

According to talkSPORT, Chelsea submitted an opening offer worth \u00a38 million for Xhaka, but Sunderland rejected it and informed the London club that their captain was not available.<\/p>\n

Speaking after Sunderland\u2019s 4-2 friendly defeat against Liverpool, manager R\u00e9gis Le Bris delivered a firm response when asked about the midfielder\u2019s future.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, this topic is closed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been really clear about his future. He loves Sunderland, he wants to stay in Sunderland.<\/em>
\u201cHe wants to make the future of Sunderland. He is a good captain. Great leader.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Xhaka played an important role in Sunderland\u2019s impressive campaign, providing experience and control in midfield as the Black Cats secured European qualification.<\/p>\n

Chelsea\u2019s interest was understandable because of his relationship with Alonso, but the \u00a38 million offer was always unlikely to change Sunderland\u2019s position.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea should accept the decision and look elsewhere<\/h2>\n

The Guardian also reports that Sunderland are under no financial pressure to sell and consider Xhaka an essential figure as they prepare to balance domestic and European football.<\/p>\n

From Chelsea\u2019s perspective, Xhaka would have offered qualities their young squad occasionally lacks.<\/p>\n

He understands Alonso\u2019s tactical demands, can control the tempo of matches and is comfortable operating in a possession-heavy system. His leadership could also have helped guide the club\u2019s younger midfielders.<\/p>\n

However, Chelsea should now move on rather than continue pursuing an unwilling seller.<\/p>\n

Xhaka is entering the later stage of his career, and Sunderland would demand considerably more than Chelsea\u2019s opening proposal to even consider negotiations.<\/p>\n

The reunion may have made tactical sense, but overpaying for a short-term option would not.<\/p>\n

Chelsea would be better served targeting a younger midfielder who can provide similar authority while also developing into a long-term part of Alonso\u2019s project.<\/p>\n

Chelsea preparing move to sign versatile 24-year-old Barcelona ace<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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