CHELSEA have ripped up their youth movement and are targeting good old fashioned Premier League experience instead.
For years Blues fans have had to Google plenty of little-known teenagers from far flung corners of the globe as their club swooped for various wonderkids.
Xabi Alonso is building a new-look Chelsea side Credit: Getty
Alonso, 44, has been getting busy on the training pitch Credit: Getty
Following last season’s disastrous 10th place finish, however, things are looking a little different at Stamford Bridge.
And the club are now targeting two England internationals in their mid-30s – Jordan Henderson, 36, and Danny Welbeck, 35.
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Chelsea‘s last two bosses’ only experience of managing in England had come in the Championship; Enzo Maresca at Leicester and Liam Rosenior at Hull and Derby.
Their hotseat’s latest incumbent Xabi Alonso, however, was last seen at Real Madrid.
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Jordan Henderson has emerged as a shock Chelsea target Credit: Getty
Danny Welbeck is in-demand having scored 13 goals last season Credit: AFP
And there’s no need for Google when it comes to most of Alonso’s targets.
The Spaniard has already splurged £117million on England star Morgan Rogers.
Today it emerged that the Blues want Henderson and Welbeck in order to add top professionals with vast experience of operating at the highest level.
Should the Blues land both targets, how will they fit into Alonso’s new look team?
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Alonso is set to make big changes at Stamford Bridge Credit: Getty
THE LEVERKUSEN APPROACH
Alonso enjoyed easily the most successful spell of his career as Bayer Leverkusen boss – completing an unbeaten 2023-24 season to win the Bundesliga title while also collecting the DFB Pokal.
The Spaniard utilised a 3-4-3 formation during his time in Germany, although curiously ditched the approach for his less successful stint in Madrid, but more on that later.
Should he decide to revert back to that system in West London, both Henderson and Welbeck should be helpful.
The latter, who scored 13 Prem goals last term, can slot into the middle of an attacking trident flanked by Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer.
This approach will likely be towards the end of games as Joao Pedro tires, or if the Brazilian is ever unavailable.
Henderson, meanwhile, will add steel next to Moises Caicedo when selected, which may be more than initially expected should Enzo Fernandez leave the club.
Welbeck had a brilliant season for Brighton last time out Credit: Getty
THE REAL MADRID APPROACH
As mentioned above, Alonso primarily reverted to a 4-3-3 during his short tenure at the Bernabeu.
The tenure can by no means be called a success, although the 44-year-old did win 24 of his 34 games in charge before the club’s hierarchy gave in to player power and got rid.
It would not seem far fetched that Alonso could stick with the 4-3-3 at Chelsea, rather than going with the back three.
In this scenario, Welbeck would still be able to slot in up front between Rogers and Palmer when required.
Henderson, meanwhile, could potentially sit in front of the back four, giving his midfield partners more license to get forward and join attacks.
This would be particularly beneficial should Fernandez stay at Stamford Bridge, given the Argentine’s eye for goal.
Henderson, 36, is a vocal leader on the pitch Credit: Reuters
A NEW APPROACH?
Towards the end of his Real Madrid tenure, Alonso did begin to dabble with a 4-4-2 system.
And particularly when chasing games, this could allow him to stick Welbeck on alongside Pedro.
The pair know each other well, having been Brighton team-mates for two years.
Henderson may also be useful for this attacking scenario.
His disciplined presence can allow the likes of Palmer and Rogers to attack without too much fear of being exposed defensively.
Both Henderson and Welbeck may prove to be useful impact subs for Alonso, if not regular starters.
Welbeck and Joao Pedro dovetailed for two years together at Brighton Credit: Reuters
