{"id":49735,"date":"2026-07-06T04:29:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T08:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/why-chelsea-are-ready-to-sign-a-premier-league-star-for-80m-instead-of-xhaka\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T04:29:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T08:29:07","slug":"why-chelsea-are-ready-to-sign-a-premier-league-star-for-80m-instead-of-xhaka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/why-chelsea-are-ready-to-sign-a-premier-league-star-for-80m-instead-of-xhaka\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Chelsea are ready to sign a Premier League star for \u00a380m instead of Xhaka"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/why-chelsea-are-ready-to-sign-a-premier-league-star-for-80m-instead-of-xhaka\/#Chelsea_expected_to_make_move_for_Premier_League_midfielder\" >Chelsea expected to make move for Premier League midfielder<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/why-chelsea-are-ready-to-sign-a-premier-league-star-for-80m-instead-of-xhaka\/#Why_Alex_Scott_is_better_than_Granit_Xhaka\" >Why Alex Scott is better than Granit Xhaka<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/06\/why-chelsea-are-ready-to-sign-a-premier-league-star-for-80m-instead-of-xhaka\/#Enzo_20_Chelsea_ready_to_sign_%E2%80%98the_most_unique_U21_player_on_the_planet\" >Enzo 2.0: Chelsea ready to sign &#8216;the most unique U21 player on the planet&#8217;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was dealt a blow earlier this week when it was revealed central midfielder Granit Xhaka would not be signed.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>The Spaniard won the Bundesliga title with experienced stars in Bayer Leverkusen&#8217;s team and was hoping to bring him to London in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n<p>An offer of \u00a38m from the Blues was rejected by the Black Cats who felt it was an insulting bid and a final decision is now being taken by the player.<\/p>\n<p>The Swiss international turned down the chance to reunite with his former manager and decided to remain at the Stadium of Light to captain next season&#8217;s Europa League.<\/p>\n<p>After captaining Sunderland to a seventh-place finish in his first year back in the Premier League, his loyalty to the club is admirable and understandable.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"chelsea-expected-to-make-move-for-premier-league-midfielder\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chelsea_expected_to_make_move_for_Premier_League_midfielder\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Chelsea expected to make move for Premier League midfielder<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Chelsea may respect Xhaka&#8217;s decision to remain on Wearside, but the Swiss star&#8217;s refusal means they will have to look elsewhere for a new midfielder.<\/p>\n<p>They have already been linked with interest in another star player from the Premier League, who would be an even better option for Alonso in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n<p>According to talkSPORT, Chelsea are one of the teams interested in signing Bournemouth central midfielder Alex Scott in the summer transfer window.<\/p>\n<p>According to the newspaper, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United are also considering the possibility of signing the England international for next season.<\/p>\n<p>However, he added that the Cherries do not want to sign the former Bristol City player and are instead hoping to put pen to paper on a contract extension.<\/p>\n<p>TalkSPORT revealed that Chelsea are expected to increase their interest in the Englishman after Xhaka decided to remain at Sunderland, but it remains to be seen whether Bournemouth will be convinced to sell him.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-alex-scott-would-be-better-than-granit-xhaka\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Alex_Scott_is_better_than_Granit_Xhaka\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Alex Scott is better than Granit Xhaka<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Xhaka would have arrived as a player who already knows Alonso&#8217;s ways and could have really stepped up as a key player for the Spaniard. <\/p>\n<p>But the Scot, who is valued at \u00a380 million, is already a proven star in the Premier League and also has the potential to make an immediate impact, having come from another division and not having to adapt to a country or league.<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, the 22-year-old star&#8217;s performances for Bournemouth in the Premier League in 2025\/26 suggest he is a better option than Xhaka in Chelsea&#8217;s midfield.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26 Premier League<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Xhaka<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Scott<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Appearance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>34<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>37<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>the goal<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Shah<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>3.71<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.95<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Tackles + Interceptions per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>2.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>2.6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Duels won per match<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>4.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>5.0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Number of successful dribbles per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>0.3<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>0.8<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Possessions lost per game<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>12.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p><strong>10.4<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>The Englishman offered his team more in most aspects of the game than Xhaka did against Sunderland, apart from creativity, leading to more defensive interventions and goals from midfield.<\/p>\n<p>The fact that he averages 0.5 more dribbles per game speaks to the excellent mobility Scott boasts in his midfield position. This is because he is far more capable of crossing the ground than the Swiss international, with or without the ball at his feet.<\/p>\n<p>Despite only being 22, Scott has already been described as a &#8220;complete&#8221; midfielder by Under-23 scout Antonio Mango, backed up by his contributions on and off the ball in last season&#8217;s Premier League.<\/p>\n<p>The problem with signing young players is that their performance levels can sometimes be inconsistent and fluctuate, which is why Chelsea wanted an experienced star like Xhaka, but Scott bucks that trend.<\/p>\n<p>His former manager Andoni Iraola talked about his impressive consistency at the end of last season, and that is backed up by how great his statistics are compared to Xhaka.<\/p>\n<p>The 22-year-old Scot is 11 years younger than the Sunderland star and would bring long-term value to Chelsea and Alonso. If he wishes, he could be used as a starting midfielder for the next 10 years.<\/p>\n<p>That&#8217;s why the Blues must do everything in their power to secure Xhaka ahead of their rivals now that they know he will remain at Sunderland this summer. Because he can make Alonso forget all about the former star.<\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"new-enzo-chelsea-ready-to-sign-world-cup-star-johan-manzambi\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enzo_20_Chelsea_ready_to_sign_%E2%80%98the_most_unique_U21_player_on_the_planet\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tEnzo 2.0: Chelsea ready to sign &#8216;the most unique U21 player on the planet&#8217;<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Chelsea are planning to sign this young star in the style of Enzo Fernandes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso was dealt a blow earlier this week when it was revealed central midfielder Granit Xhaka would not be signed. The Spaniard won the Bundesliga title with experienced stars in Bayer Leverkusen&#8217;s team and was hoping to bring him to London in the summer transfer window. An offer of \u00a38m from the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47663,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[772,200,40,97,96,979,43,86,5044],"class_list":["post-49735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-80m","tag-chelsea","tag-football","tag-league","tag-premier","tag-ready","tag-sign","tag-star","tag-xhaka"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/47663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}