Chelsea told they should have signed £80m star instead of Jordan Henderson

Wayne Bridge has questioned Chelsea’s move for Jordan Henderson, claiming the club should have made an effort to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott instead.

Chelsea moved away from their purely youth-led transfer policy by adding Henderson, 36, and Danny Welbeck, 35, to Xabi Alonso’s squad this summer.

Boasting a combined total of nearly 900 Premier League appearances, it’s hoped the two England internationals will help bring stability and leadership to a dressing room which has badly lacked experienced heads in recent seasons.

The Blues also smashed their transfer record by signing Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa for a fee of £117million, while strengthening at the back with the addition of Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Pep Chavarria and Emiliano Martinez.

The early signs have been positive, with the west London giants getting the better of both Fulham and Brighton to get Alonso’s Stamford Bridge reign off to a flying start in the English top flight.

The Blues will look to pick up where they left off this weekend when they return to action for undoubtedly their most daunting challenge yet against the reigning champions Arsenal.

Speaking to Oddschecker ahead of the derby, ex-Chelsea and England full-back Bridge gave his thoughts on the club’s various transfer dealings, from Henderson’s arrival to the marquee signing of ‘complete player’ Rogers.

On Chelsea’s bringing in Henderson over the £80m-rated Scott, Bridge said: ‘I really like Alex Scott.

‘He’s consistent for Bournemouth, works hard, gets goals, and is a technically gifted player under pressure.

‘The only thing with him going to Chelsea is that I would have signed him instead of Henderson, for sure.’

Asked for his reaction to Chelsea’s record-breaking deal for Rogers, the former England international said: ‘I love Rogers.

‘He’s strong, powerful, fast, gets at players, and carries the ball really well.

‘I think he’s a great signing and a complete player who will link up well with the rest of the team.’

Bridge was also encouraged by Chelsea’s move for Crystal Palace defender Lacroix and is confident the Frenchman will prove to be a ‘really solid’ signing at Stamford Bridge.

‘He was outstanding last year – winning tackles, winning headers, six-foot-four, and certainly not a slouch,’ Bridge added.

‘At a good price tag and newly in the French squad, it feels like a really solid signing for Chelsea under Xabi Alonso.’

Bridge is hopeful that Chelsea have finally landed on the winning combination up front, with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Rogers firing on all cylinders ahead of this weekend’s showdown at the Emirates.

‘Chelsea have real quality in areas that matter,’ he explained.

‘With Cole Palmer back fresh after his summer off, alongside Joao Pedro, they have players who can unlock any defence.

‘Under Alonso, the key will be giving them the freedom to link up and lead by example.’

Despite his impressive start in Chelsea’s two opening games, Bridge believes it will be a tough ask for Joao Pedro to establish himself as a genuine contender for this year’s Golden Boot.

‘He’s shown real quality and composure since coming in, but pushing for the Golden Boot in this league is a massive ask,’ he said.

‘Can he push Erling Haaland? It’s tough because Haaland is a machine, but with the creative quality around him in Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, Joao Pedro will get plenty of chances.

‘If he stays consistent and clinical, he can definitely be up there among the top scorers.’

Chelsea have taken six points from a possible six in the Premier League and sit behind Manchester City, Arsenal and Hull City only on goal difference heading into the weekend’s action.

Arsenal are unbeaten in their last 11 meetings with Chelsea and enter Sunday’s derby as the overwhelming bookmakers’ favourites to come out on top.

Last season, the Gunners held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge before defeating the Blues 2-1 at the Emirates.

Arteta’s men also got the better of their bitter rivals in the Carabao Cup, with former Chelsea forward Kai Havertz scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner to send his side through to the final.

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