{"id":22544,"date":"2026-07-29T06:14:50","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T06:14:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22544"},"modified":"2026-07-29T06:14:50","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T06:14:50","slug":"xabi-alonso-drops-telling-hint-over-chelseas-jordan-henderson-and-danny-welbeck-transfers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22544","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso drops telling hint over Chelsea\u2019s Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck transfers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_5c0bc2\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Chelsea have been linked with moves for veteran Premier League stars Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck and boss Xabi Alonso has spoken out on deals for the pair<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37487222\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Xabi Alonso\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2287361577.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2287361577.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2287361577.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487222.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2287361577.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Xabi Alonso took charge of his first Chelsea match on Tuesday\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Xabi Alonso took charge of his first Chelsea match on Tuesday<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Xabi Alonso has refused to confirm Chelsea are interested in signing Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson &#8211; but hinted that the Blues want to add more experience. The Blues have been linked with moves for the veteran stars over the past few days.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Reports have suggested that Henderson, 36, will be allowed to leave Brentford on a free transfer just a year after moving to West London. It has also been suggested that Chelsea are already in talks with Brighton regarding a move for Welbeck.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Asked about potential deals following Tuesday\u2019s 6-4 victory against Western Sydney Wanderers, new Chelsea boss Alonso remained tight-lipped.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: \u201cNo, I&#8217;m sure that from today until the last day of the transfer (window) there will be a lot of rumours, so to be commenting on all of them. It&#8217;s going to be a hard task, but for sure we need proper balance in terms of qualities, in terms of positions, in terms of balance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe want to have a complete squad and we want to make a good team. For that we have an idea, we have a plan and let&#8217;s see how we set it up until the start of the Premier League.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea\u2019s moves for Henderson and Welbeck are huge departures from their previous approach in the market. Having preferred to sign youth with promise in previous windows, the Londoners now appear to be prioritising experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Chelsea have of course already been busy in the window this summer. Morgan Rogers arrived from Aston Villa for \u00a3117m earlier this summer, while Marco Palestra was signed from Atalanta.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Elsewhere, Geovany Quenda and Emmanuel Emegha arrived at Stamford Bridge on pre-agreed moves. The Blues have already earned considerable sums back, with Andrey Santos and Marc Cucurella having joined Manchester United and Real Madrid respectively.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37487241\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37487241\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5001256597134958\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Jordan Henderson\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487241.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2286287197.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487241.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2286287197.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487241.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2286287197.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37487241.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2286287197.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Chelsea are interested in signing Jordan Henderson\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Chelsea are interested in signing Jordan Henderson<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Tyrique George has signed permanently for Everton following last season\u2019s loan spell, while Alejandro Garnacho has been allowed to move to Aston Villa on loan. Another star who could leave before the end of the transfer window is striker Liam Delap.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 23-year-old endured a difficult debut season with Chelsea, having netted on just three occasions. On the striker, Alonso added: \u201cEvery player that is involved is doing well, Liam as well. It was 60 minutes when he had to battle hard against the centre-backs, a good few lays off, so he&#8217;s doing well and preparing for the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI see him in a good mood, in a good desire to get proper fitness, proper football feeling good, and he&#8217;s doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community<\/em> and receive your daily dose of <em>Mirror<\/em> <em>Football<\/em> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you&#8217;re curious, you can read our <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><em>Privacy Notice.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37467281\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\">\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_c7322d\">Free William Hill Shop bets inside your Mirror every day of Glorious Goodwood<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37467267\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37467267\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.50278293135436\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37467267.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_WilliamHill_Goodwood_ARTICLE-REGIONAL-1-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37467267.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_WilliamHill_Goodwood_ARTICLE-REGIONAL-1-1.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37467267.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_WilliamHill_Goodwood_ARTICLE-REGIONAL-1-1.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article37467267.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_WilliamHill_Goodwood_ARTICLE-REGIONAL-1-1.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Mirror has got everything you need to celebrate Glorious Goodwood &#8211; including a FREE \u00a32 William Hill shop bet every day of the festival, plus packed pullouts every day from the pundits you trust. 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Pick up your paper from Tuesday July 28 until Saturday August 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea have been linked with moves for veteran Premier League stars Jordan Henderson and Danny&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22545,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22544","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22544","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=22544"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22544\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22544"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22544"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22544"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}