{"id":250447,"date":"2026-06-28T10:10:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T10:10:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/28\/granit-xhakas-stance-on-playing-for-xabi-alonso-with-chelsea-preparing-move\/"},"modified":"2026-06-28T10:10:19","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T10:10:19","slug":"granit-xhakas-stance-on-playing-for-xabi-alonso-with-chelsea-preparing-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/28\/granit-xhakas-stance-on-playing-for-xabi-alonso-with-chelsea-preparing-move\/","title":{"rendered":"Granit Xhaka’s stance on playing for Xabi Alonso with Chelsea preparing move"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Chelsea<\/a> are readying a move for Sunderland star Granit Xhaka<\/a>, and the midfielder’s stance on playing under Xabi Alonso<\/a> has now emerged.<\/p>\n

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Alonso is personally pushing to bring the former Arsenal midfielder to Stamford Bridge, off the back of him scooping up Sunderland’s Player of the Season award last season, after playing a major role in the Black Cats securing Europa League qualification.<\/p>\n

Football commentator Harry Symeou<\/a> was particularly impressed by the maestro’s performances, saying back in January: “Granit Xhaka and Sunderland were excellent tonight. Their work rate is incredible & with the Stadium of Light crowd behind them, they\u2019re quite the force. You can see why they\u2019re unbeaten there in the league so far this season.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Since then, the Switzerland star has gone on to feature in all three of his side’s World Cup group games, scoring in the 4-1 victory against Bosnia & Herzegovina to help propel them to the round of 32 as Group B winners.<\/p>\n

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Football FanCast’s Verdict<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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Credibility<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Alonso has been widely reported to be keen on bolstering his squad with experienced players this summer.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, Xhaka could be a savvy addition to the Spaniard’s squad at 33-years-old, and with 259<\/p>\n

Premier League<\/a> appearances to his name.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Finances<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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There have been suggestions the Blues could be willing to fork out \u00a326m<\/a> for the Swiss maestro, which<\/p>\n

would perhaps raise a few eyebrows, given that he is set to turn 34 in September. Moreover, BlueCo<\/p>\n

have prioritised signing younger players since taking ownership of the club.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Insight<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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That said, the experienced midfielder remains a consistent performer, missing just four Premier League<\/p>\n

games for Sunderland last season, during which time he chipped in with one goal and six assists.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Impact<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Regis Le Bris losing his Player of the Season winner would no doubt be a major blow, especially<\/p>\n

with a Europa League campaign on the horizon next season. The move could also signal Chelsea<\/p>\n

are set to abandon their youth recruitment policy, which has been much-maligned.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Ben Jacobs drops Granit Xhaka to Chelsea update<\/strong>
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Taking to X, reporter Ben Jacobs has revealed Chelsea are now preparing a move for Xhaka<\/a>, although they aren’t willing to fork out as high a fee as has been suggested elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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The 149-cap Switzerland international is also keen to play under Alonso<\/a>, having worked with the Spaniard at Bayer Leverkusen, with the German side lifting the 2023-24 Bundesliga title.<\/p>\n

However, agreeing a deal could be tricky, as the Black Cats have little interest in sanctioning a sale, and the defensive midfielder remains under contract until 2028.<\/p>\n

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\n What Granit Xhaka has said about Xabi Alonso<\/strong>
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It is perhaps unsurprising Xhaka<\/a> is keen to reunite with the former Leverkusen boss, having spoken very highly of him in the past, saying: \u201cHe had no experience on the big stage. What he did have was personality. When he walked into the dressing room and started talking, everyone was completely focused.<\/em><\/p>\n

“Every word he said was true. He wasn\u2019t fake. He was authentic. He only cares about what he sees on the pitch. If you train well, he\u2019ll give you a chance.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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You scored<\/p>\n

out of 20<\/p>\n