Granit Xhaka might be heading back to London, and this time it’s Chelsea pushing to make it happen. The Sunderland midfielder has reportedly agreed to personal terms with the Blues, with manager Xabi Alonso leading the charge to reunite with his former Bayer Leverkusen star.
According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Xhaka and Chelsea have a deal in principle on the player side. Now it’s down to the two clubs to negotiate a transfer fee. Sunderland isn’t exactly eager to let him walk, but the 33-year-old’s contract situation leaves some room to work.
The Alonso Factor
This isn’t random. Xhaka played some of the best football of his career under Alonso at Leverkusen. That 2023/24 season was special — Leverkusen won the Bundesliga, Xhaka ran the midfield, and he earned a spot in the Team of the Season. Alonso knows exactly what he’d be getting: a guy who reads the game, moves the ball quickly, and doesn’t get rattled.
Alonso is reportedly pushing hard for this signing. And given Chelsea’s new manager just arrived, his opinion carries weight.
Why It Makes Sense for Chelsea
Chelsea has been loading up on young talent for years, but the roster has lacked a certain kind of veteran presence. Xhaka would be the second summer signing after Marco Palestra from Atalanta — and he’d bring something different. Experience, specifically. The kind you can’t coach into a 22-year-old.
The Swiss international has been playing top-level European football since 2012, when he joined Borussia Mönchengladbach. He hasn’t slowed down. Last season at Sunderland, he led the team in assists (six) and ranked among the top in the Premier League for key passes, accurate long balls, and defensive contributions. He also helped Sunderland qualify for the Europa League — at Chelsea’s expense, which is a fun bit of irony here.
Where He’d Fit
If this deal goes through, Xhaka likely slots into a midfield pivot alongside Moisés Caicedo. The idea is that Xhaka’s ball progression would complement Caicedo’s work rate and defensive instincts. Think of it as a balance thing — Xhaka moves the ball forward from deeper positions, freeing Caicedo to hunt possession and disrupt attacks.
He’s also versatile enough to play in a more advanced role if needed, though at 33, his legs aren’t what they used to be. But his brain is still sharp, and that matters more in certain systems.
The club hasn’t confirmed anything yet. Neither has Sunderland. But the pieces are moving, and Alonso seems to be the guy driving this one.
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