Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes and ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher have voiced strong concerns regarding Chelsea's transfer policy under new manager Xabi Alonso.
The discussion on The Overlap was sparked by Chelsea's interest in signing seasoned English players—Jordan Henderson (36, a free agent from Brentford) and Danny Welbeck (35, from Brighton).
Paul Scholes:
These two ageing players... It feels like Chelsea have swung from one extreme to another, and I simply can't wrap my head around it. You've got a bunch of 21-year-olds, fair enough, but adding players aged 37 or 38? I can understand the signing of Granit Xhaka—he's still a top player and performed brilliantly at the World Cup.
I think they'll provide most value at the training ground, because they won’t be playing regularly, especially Henderson. Welbeck might still come off the bench, but their main worth lies in training sessions. Look, if Chelsea have the extra cash for this, then it's their prerogative.
Jamie Carragher:
I find this peculiar because signing the defender from Crystal Palace, Maxence Lacroix, seems like a smart move. You've got plenty of young centre-backs, but he knows the league and has experience. However, when it comes to on-field issues—red cards and dropped points—just how much time will Henderson and Welbeck realistically spend on the pitch? That’s where my question lies.
