Online Reporter
THE more Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck play for Chelsea, the worse next season will be – but they can still make a big impact.
News of interest in the former England stars sparked unsurprising laughter from rival fans.
Who would the Blues go after next? Lee Cattermole? James Milner? Danny Ings?
There is, of course, a continuation of the comedic (yet frustrating, for many) Brighton link with Welbeck, but none of this should detract from how important these two players could be.
Chelsea have been crying out for experienced heads. Not just on the pitch but around the club in general.
In 2023, after Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter had been sacked within nine months of BlueCo’s takeover, Frank Lampard bemoaned the lack of standards in training.
Albeit that was with over 33 players in the squad at one time. He wasn’t the only boss to complain, though. Mauricio Pochettino was demanding players who had been there and done it by the end of his first summer.
And earlier this year, after binning off Liam Rosenior – who had promised a change of direction in the transfer market – Chelsea’s “period of self reflection” began.
Marc Cucurella called for players with Champions League know-how in March when PSG brutally dismantled Rosenior’s credibility and the Clearlake project across 180 minutes.
Enzo Fernandez feels the same.
Whether or not two guys from England squads at Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014 can bring that is up for debate.
Are these really the sort of players Chelsea need? Well, maybe. Possibly, yes. Probably.
These are not deals Chelsea would have pursued at any other point since the current sporting directors were appointed after Todd Boehly‘s wild interim tenure.
And although it is fair to question what Henderson can actually do for Chelsea in terms of passing, control, and physicality on the field, do not underplay his credentials.
He is the last British captain to win the Premier League. Hendo has been there and seen it all.
The former Sunderland midfielder has lifted the Champions League, played over 450 Prem matches, and is now used to being a drinks carrier.
He has been a talented prodigy, an underrated and undervalued squad player, written off at a big club, and then a key cog further down the line.
Henderson has played a vital part at times and supporting one at others.
Tuchel picked him for this summer’s World Cup despite knowing he would be unlikely to feature massively.
But every player in the camp has expressed their admiration and love for his very presence, as he acted as a vital link between players and coaching staff.
Jude Bellingham missed him at Euro 2024 when things were off under Gareth Southgate.
British record new Chelsea signing Morgan Rogers has praised his professionalism.
These have been severely lacking at Chelsea with only a handful of players taking on any sort of responsibility.
Reece James is a skipper by example and is growing into the role after a quiet start.
Levi Colwill is a natural next in line but was absent last term through injury. Cucurella was deemed a leader but spoke out against the club when Chelsea needed to pull together. – Sun.
