Ex-Arsenal man pushing for shock move to Chelsea

This summer could prove to be one of substantial change for Chelsea, not least because of the arrival of Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager. 

The Spaniard was confirmed as the Blues’ new manager last month, but won’t officially take up his role until July 1, and much has been made of his job title being ‘manager’, rather than the ‘head coach’ title that was given to his predecessor, Liam Rosenior.

Alonso enjoyed huge success with Bayer Leverkusen before joining Real Madrid last summer, but lasted just six months in the Spanish capital before being sacked.

He now takes charge at a club that has sacked several managers in recent years, including two – Enzo Maresca and Rosenior – last season alone.

Ahead of the start of the new season, though, it has emerged that the west London side are working hard to reunite Alonso with one of his former players.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka is pushing hard for a move to Chelsea this summer.

Xhaka is the captain of the Swiss national side (Photo: DiaEsportivo/Alamy)

The journalist suggests that the Switzerland international – who is current representing his country at the World Cup in North America – has emerged as a target for Alonso, with the pair having thrived at Leverkusen.

Xhaka played a key role for Leverkusen during the 2023/24 campaign, when Alonso guided the club to a first Bundesliga title in its history.

The midfielder – who previously endured highs and lows during a spell with Arsenal, left Leverkusen to join Sunderland ahead of last season, and played a key role for Regis Le Bris’s side last term as they secured a stunning seventh-placed finish and qualified for the Europa League.

Romano claims, however, that the 33-year-old is keen to reunite with Alonso and is also intent on living in London, meaning that he is pushing hard to join Chelsea.

While personal terms will not prove to be an issue, Romano claims that the likelihood of a deal being completed relies heavily on whether or not the two clubs can reach an agreement.