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Chelsea have opened discussions over potential moves for Brentford midfielder Jordan Henderson and Brighton striker Danny Welbeck as the club looks to add experience to its squad ahead of the new season.
Henderson, 36, has one year remaining on his contract with Brentford, but the club is prepared to allow the England international to leave on a free transfer. The experienced midfielder joined Brentford from Ajax last season and made 34 appearances across all competitions. He also featured for England at the World Cup, coming off the bench before suffering a broken arm during celebrations after the team's last-16 victory over Mexico.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are optimistic about securing the signing of 35-year-old Welbeck. The former England striker is reportedly interested in making the move to Stamford Bridge despite extending his contract with Brighton in March. His current deal runs until the end of the 2026-27 campaign.
Welbeck enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last term, scoring 13 Premier League goals in 37 appearances. It was his highest league tally in a single season and took his total to 51 goals in 201 matches for Brighton since joining the club from Watford in 2020. Brighton have not commented on the reports linking him with Chelsea.
Chelsea's pursuit of Henderson and Welbeck signals a shift in the club's transfer strategy. After several seasons of focusing on promising young talent, the club has acknowledged the need to bring in experienced players who can provide leadership both on and off the pitch. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali previously indicated that the recruitment model required adjustments, and this summer's transfer activity appears to reflect that change.
The Blues have already strengthened their squad by signing attacker Morgan Rogers for a club record fee of £117 million and full-back Marco Palestra. They are also close to completing a move for Crystal Palace defender Maxence Lacroix as they continue reshaping the team under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Chelsea's attacking department remains crowded despite the club not competing in Europe this season. Joao Pedro is regarded as the preferred first-choice striker, while Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson are also on the books.
Guiu is available for either a loan move or a permanent transfer, with Chelsea valuing him at around £25 million. Jackson, who has returned from a loan spell at Bayern Munich, is reportedly open to leaving amid interest from Aston Villa. Delap, who arrived from Ipswich for £30 million last year, had hoped to establish himself under Alonso but is now increasingly expected to depart. There is also uncertainty surrounding Emegha's future despite only recently joining from Strasbourg.
Welbeck's possible arrival could further increase competition for places, but Chelsea believe his experience, professionalism and leadership qualities would benefit a young squad that struggled to a 10th-place Premier League finish last season. His ability to score goals, link play and mentor younger teammates makes him an attractive option as Chelsea seek a better balance between youth and experience.
