Jordan Henderson has joined Chelsea on a two-year deal in one of the more surprising moves that will take place during this transfer window.
The Blues, as they tend to do, have splashed the cash on some expensive signings including £117million on Morgan Rogers, £52m on Maxence Lacroix and £43m on Marco Palestra, but they have also made some cheaper, unexpected moves.
36-year-old Henderson has been snapped up from Brentford on a free transfer, while 35-year-old Danny Welbeck has arrived from Brighton in a £5m deal.
Not many would have predicted that the former Liverpool midfielder and the ex-Manchester United and Arsenal forward would be plying their trades at Stamford Bridge in the coming season, but new manager Xabi Alonso has chosen to add Premier League experience to his squad in abdundance.
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It is unlikely that Henderson took much persuading at all to sign for a club like Chelsea at his age, but he credited Alonso, along with the Blues owners, for selling the project to him.
‘Given the size of the club, the manager, who I have great admiration for, and the quality of the players, this was a huge opportunity I couldn’t turn down,’ said the England midfielder.
‘I was also so impressed with how much the ownership want Chelsea to be successful and move in the right direction.
‘For me, it’s about giving everything every single day, both on and off the field, to help the players around me and the team as much as possible. I’m very excited to get going.’
Henderson spent just one season at Brentford but impressed over 34 games across all competitions, earning himself a place in England’s World Cup squad.
He came on against Panama in the group stage and became the first England player to feature in four World Cups.
His tournament took a bizarre turn, though, when he fell while jumping over an advertising hoarding after the last 16 win over Mexico.
Despite being an unused substitute in the match, Henderson ended up being stretchered off and requiring surgery on a forearm injury.
The other surprise signing at Stamford Bridge, Welbeck, said of his move from the Seagulls: ‘When you hear of the interest from Chelsea, it’s something that fills you with such immense pride.
‘Knowing the history of Chelsea, it’s a club that wants to win trophies and is pushing to do that every single season.
‘I’m really honoured to come to a club of this stature at what feels like a really exciting time.
‘I know a few of the boys already, and I’ve had fantastic conversations with the manager and already feel that connection.
‘I’ve got that fire in my belly, and I’m ready to give it everything for this club to make everyone at Chelsea, and the supporters, proud.’
Chelsea continues their pre-season preparation with high profile friendlies against Juventus on Wednesday and AC Milan on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso will take charge of a Premier League game for the first time when the Blues make the short trip to Fulham on August 24.