{"id":3717,"date":"2026-09-08T08:54:06","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T08:54:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3717"},"modified":"2026-09-08T08:54:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T08:54:06","slug":"chelsea-vs-arsenal-would-have-been-very-different-if-blues-had-made-30m-signing-this-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=3717","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea vs Arsenal would have been very different if Blues had made \u00a330m signing this summer"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Chelsea\u2019s lack of midfield depth played a key role in them falling to defeat against Arsenal on Sunday, and it could have been very different if they\u2019d completed a signing in that role over the summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso started Reece James in midfield<\/a>, with Malo Gusto ending the game alongside him as the Blues struggled to find options to start in that role.<\/p>\n

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Moises Caicedo remains unavailable for selection<\/a>, and Chelsea are still reeling from the exit of Enzo Fernandez in the final hours of the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

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Let\u2019s settle this, Chelsea are better off with Reece James at right-back\u2026 \ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n

Do you prefer James in midfield or at right-back \u2013 and why?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Chelsea vs Arsenal would have been different if Blues signed Granit Xhaka<\/h2>\n

The Blues\u2019 efforts to sign a new midfielder on deadline day failed, however it was missing out on the signing of Granit Xhaka which has really hurt them now.<\/p>\n

The Switzerland international emerged as a target because Alonso found great success with him at Bayer Leverkusen, and maintained his standards in his first season back in the Premier League with Sunderland.<\/p>\n

Chelsea were willing to offer around \u00a315m for Xhaka<\/a>, however the Black Cats rightfully set a price tag in the region of \u00a330m to even enter negotiations with the Blues.<\/p>\n

Despite adding the likes of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson to their squad to address the lack of experience in the side, they need a presence on the pitch as well who has seen tough environments like playing away to the champions.<\/p>\n

Xhaka would have been the perfect mix between experience and actually being able to feature for the Blues, and Chelsea<\/a> missed a trick not stumping up the cash for the veteran midfielder.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s ongoing hunt for a new midfielder<\/h2>\n

Despite brief links to free agents such as Renato Sanches, Chelsea are expected to wait until January before attacking the midfield market again.<\/p>\n

Alex Scott<\/a> was one of the club\u2019s top targets throughout the summer window, and the Blues have not lost their hunger in wanting to sign him.<\/p>\n

There has already been talk of Chelsea trying to reach a pre-agreement with Bournemouth<\/a> to sign the England international, as they look to avoid a hijack from another top side.<\/p>\n

He is continuing to gain Premier League experience, and stylistically looks a perfect fit to start alongside Moises Caicedo at Stamford Bridge.<\/p>\n

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