Chelsea are pursuing experienced Premier League campaigners Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as the club continues to reshape its transfer strategy under new head coach Xabi Alonso.
The Blues are in negotiations with Brentford over midfielder Henderson, 36, and Brighton regarding striker Welbeck, 35. Brentford are prepared to let Henderson leave on a free transfer despite him having one year remaining on his contract, while Chelsea are increasingly confident of reaching an agreement for Welbeck, who is open to the move to Stamford Bridge.
The double pursuit reflects a notable change in Chelsea’s recruitment policy. After several transfer windows focused almost exclusively on signing young prospects, the club is now placing greater emphasis on adding proven leaders with Premier League experience. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali previously acknowledged that the club’s transfer model required adjustments, and this summer’s activity appears to reflect that shift.
Chelsea had also explored a move for Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka before Sunderland rejected approaches for the 33-year-old midfielder. While club-record signing Morgan Rogers, 23, still fits the long-term youth-focused vision, he also arrives with extensive Premier League experience. The expected £52 million signing of Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix, 26, follows the same pattern of recruiting players capable of making an immediate impact.
Welbeck is coming off one of the best seasons of his career after scoring 13 Premier League goals in 37 appearances for Brighton. Since arriving from Watford in 2020, he has registered 51 goals in 201 matches for the Seagulls, earning praise not only for his finishing but also for his link-up play, work rate and leadership within the dressing room. Brighton rewarded him with a one-year contract extension in March, keeping him tied to the club until the summer of 2027.
Chelsea believe those qualities could prove invaluable to one of the youngest squads in the Premier League. Beyond his goals, Welbeck is widely respected for raising standards in training, mentoring younger teammates and contributing with intelligent hold-up play and tactical awareness.
Henderson also brings a wealth of experience. The former Liverpool captain joined Brentford from Ajax last summer and made 34 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the Bees. He also featured for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before suffering a broken arm while celebrating the team’s Round of 16 victory over Mexico, bringing his tournament to an early end.
The arrival of Welbeck would increase competition in Chelsea’s already crowded attack. João Pedro is viewed as Alonso’s first-choice striker, while Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Emmanuel Emegha and Marc Guiu remain under contract.
Guiu is available for either a loan or permanent transfer, with Chelsea reportedly valuing him at around £25 million. Jackson, despite returning from a loan spell at Bayern Munich, is open to a new challenge amid interest from Aston Villa. Delap, who joined from Ipswich for £30 million last year, is increasingly expected to move on after struggling to establish himself, while recent signing Emegha is expected to remain despite facing greater competition for minutes.
Although Chelsea will not compete in European football this season, Alonso appears determined to build a squad with stronger leadership and more established personalities after last season’s disappointing 10th-place Premier League finish.
If completed, the signings of Henderson and Welbeck would represent one of the clearest indications yet that Chelsea are balancing their long-term investment in youth with experienced players capable of accelerating the club’s return to the top of English football.