When I first saw the news that Chelsea had made an £8 million bid for Granit Xhaka, I honestly was not expecting Sunderland to accept it. From their point of view, why would they? He was one of their key players last season and even helped lead them to a Europa League spot. Players like that don't come around often, especially for a club that's just finding its feet back in the Premier League.
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Still, I can understand Chelsea's thinking as well.
Xhaka will be 34 in a few months, so offering a huge transfer fee would not make much sense. Even though he still has plenty to offer, the club has to be careful with how it spends its money. We have made expensive mistakes in the past, and I don't think anyone wants to go back to those days.
What I do like about this rumour is the profile of the player. Our squad is packed with young talent, but there are times when you can clearly see the lack of experience on the pitch. In difficult matches, we sometimes need someone who can slow the game down, organise the midfield, and keep everyone calm. Xhaka has been doing that for years.
His leadership is probably the biggest reason I'd welcome him to Stamford Bridge. He's won trophies, played in high-pressure games, and understands what it takes to compete at the highest level. Those are qualities that don't always show up in statistics.
That said, I would not want Chelsea to get involved in a bidding war. If Sunderland have made it clear that he is not for sale, then maybe it's time to respect that and look elsewhere. There are other experienced midfielders out there who could also improve the team.
I have also read that Xhaka would be interested in working with Xabi Alonso again, which is understandable considering the success they enjoyed together. But wanting a move and actually getting one are two different things, especially when the selling club is not desperate to cash in.
For me, this is one of those transfers that would only make sense if the price stays reasonable. If Chelsea can get the deal done without overspending, I'd be happy to see Xhaka in blue. If not, I'd rather the club stick to its valuation and move on.
What do you think? Should Chelsea come back with a better offer, or is it time to focus on other midfield targets?
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