{"id":22615,"date":"2026-07-29T12:24:52","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T12:24:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22615"},"modified":"2026-07-29T12:24:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-29T12:24:52","slug":"xabi-alonsos-comments-after-chelsea-win-are-further-proof-they-have-to-sign-jordan-henderson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=22615","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso&#8217;s comments after Chelsea win are further proof they have to sign Jordan Henderson"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-379023\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Chelsea walked away from their first pre-season friendly with confidence in their attackers after scoring six goals, but a stark sign they have to bring in Jordan Henderson this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Blues beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4 in Xabi Alonso\u2019s first game in charge, with the Blues turning on the style after bringing on their heavy hitters late on.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<p>As the likes of hat-trick hero Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Jamie Gittens came on to make a significant impact off the bench, the youngsters who started the game began to come off.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"c592e507-73c1-4a76-9e95-248a27247112\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<p><h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Who was the BEST and WORST performer in Xabi Alonso\u2019s first televised game as Chelsea boss?\ud83d\udc40<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Chelsea player ratings vs Western Sydney Wanderers\" class=\"wp-image-378968\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/player-ratings-4.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Joao Pedro of Chelsea celebrates scoring a goal during the Sydney Super Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Accor Stadium on July 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Steve Christo - Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images)\">Photo by Steve Christo \u2013 Corbis\/Corbis via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-need-jordan-henderson-even-more-after-romeo-lavia-s-latest-injury\">Chelsea need Jordan Henderson even more after Romeo Lavia\u2019s latest injury<\/h2>\n<p>One player who remained on the pitch though was Reggie Watson. The central midfielder was the only one to play 90 minutes for the Blues.<\/p>\n<p>It became clear after the game why this happened. Alonso revealed in his post-match interview that Romeo Lavia was not fit enough to take part.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-getty-images-media\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"Western Sydney Wanderers v Chelsea FC: Sydney Super Cup\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-1140x758.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2287361577-750x499.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Head Coach Xabi Alonso of Chelsea FC looks on before the Sydney Super Cup match between Western Sydney Wanderers and Chelsea FC at Accor Stadium on July 28, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ayush Kumar\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images)\">Photo by Ayush Kumar\/Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Chelsea fans have seen this story before, and should now be even more keen for the club to complete the signing of Jordan Henderson this summer.<\/p>\n<p>The England international boasts a brilliant fitness record from his time in the Premier League, and will offer the Blues a steady head in the middle of the park that they have not had since Lavia\u2019s signing.<\/p>\n<p>After Andrey Santos\u2018 departure, Chelsea look a little light at the minute at the moment, and this could get even worse if Enzo Fernandez gets the move to Real Madrid he is hoping for.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"cd6091a6-2917-43f7-9492-0796a084ec17\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">How many Premier League goals will Joao Pedro score next season? \ud83d\udd2e<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">A hat-trick in his first game under Alonso!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-378979\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic-912x1140.jpg 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic-600x750.jpg 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/THREE-LINE-quote-graphic.jpg 1080w\"\/><\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Chelsea are still expected to try and sign another midfielder as well as Henderson, with Alex Scott one of their top targets after his excellent season at Bournemouth.<\/p>\n<p>The youthful look to the Chelsea side who started against WSW was another reminder that they are still lacking experience throughout the squad, another area where the Blues are lacking.<\/p>\n<p>Many supporters of the club have already given up on Lavia, and now should be welcoming the signing of Henderson even more as they look to rebuild in a new direction.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/columnist\/xabi-alonsos-comments-after-chelsea-win-are-further-proof-they-have-to-sign-jordan-henderson\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var 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with&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":22616,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22615","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\/22615","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=22615"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22615\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/22616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=22615"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=22615"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=22615"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}