Sam Allardyce claims Xabi Alonso made signing no other Chelsea manager would have been allowed to
Xabi Alonso will be happy with the transfer business that Chelsea were able to do during the summer.
The club brought in players with plenty of Premier League experience, including Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix and Emiliano Martinez. Rogers has been a revelation so far.
His goal against Bournemouth at the weekend was his fourth of the season. Having also provided one assist, it means the attacking midfielder has five contributions in just six outings.
However, there was one signing Sam Allardyce does not think any of Alonso’s predecessors would have been allowed to make.
Sam Allardyce on Xabi Alonso’s signing of Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson was another signing who arrived at Stamford Bridge with a wealth of Premier League experience. And like Rogers, he has also been able to find the back of the net.
On Saturday, Henderson scored twice in Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Bournemouth to open his account in a blue shirt. On a free transfer, he looks like a terrific piece of business, yet Allardyce does not think that deal would have happened if Alonso had not been in charge.
Jordan Henderson starred in Chelsea’s win over Bournemouth, but who is the club’s greatest-ever free transfer? 🤔
Speaking on No Tippy Tappy Football, the former Premier League boss said: “That’s a manager managing isn’t it? No other Chelsea head coach would’ve been allowed to sign him, for certain, but he’s come in and said, ‘You can’t tell me which players we can and can’t have.’”
Unlike his predecessors, Alonso has the title of manager instead of head coach. The Spaniard is believed to have a large say on Chelsea’s recruitment and pushed for Henderson after Chelsea failed to agree a deal with Sunderland for Granit Xhaka.
With Chelsea’s new signing being a Liverpool legend, John Obi Mikel has not exactly taken to Henderson yet, but the midfielder won a lot of fans over with his two-goal performance against Bournemouth. Truly, Mikel should be grateful that Henderson decided to join Chelsea, as they need help in midfield.
Enzo Fernandez was sold on deadline day and not replaced after Lamine Camara’s botched deal. Moises Caicedo was injured, Romeo Lavia’s fitness has to be managed carefully and Reece James is now sidelined.
Chelsea needed Henderson’s help, even if some did not see it at the time. He is now being appreciated despite his Liverpool connections.
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