Chelsea are targeting deals for Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck, and Jordan Henderson, marking a significant shift in their transfer tactics with the experienced trio, especially Henderson, at 36 years old.
It has been two years since Chelsea signed a player older than Lacroix, who is 26. The £52m target is still notably older than other recent Blues signings.
Chelsea's youth talent has been touted as one of the Premier League's most exciting prospects, but the potential arrival of 35-year-old Welbeck could mean a change in the first-team picture.
Liam Delap, 23, was considered one of the most exciting young strikers when Chelsea signed him last year. The Spaniard's previous managerial approach at Bayer Leverkusen suggests a blend of youth and experience.
At Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso signed four players over the age of 27 for the 2023-24 season, including Granit Xhaka and Alejandro Grimaldo, who became key players in the Bundesliga title-winning side.
The Spaniard's approach at Chelsea may be similar, with four players over the age of 27 joining the following season. This could signal a deliberate change in recruitment strategy, prioritising experience over youth.
Chelsea have been known to bring in experienced players to complement their young talent. However, the ages of the targeted signings, especially Henderson, seem to signal a major change in transfer tactics from the Blues.
The Premier League transfer window is set to close on September 1. Chelsea will need to complete the deals for Lacroix, Welbeck, and Henderson before the deadline.
Source: Yahoo Sports
