Xabi Alonso has explained exactly why Chelsea now want Jordan Henderson in shock transfer

Chelsea are targeting a shock move to sign Brentford and England midfielder Jordan Henderson, it has been reported.

The Athletic claim that the Blues are working on a deal to sign Henderson, 36, on a free transfer.

Brentford are said to be willing to grant Henderson a free transfer given the positive relationship between player and club. He has a year remaining on the initial two-year contract he signed with the Bees last summer.

The former Liverpool captain was named in England's World Cup squad, with his experience and leadership skills repeatedly cited by manager Thomas Tuchel as a key asset to the Three Lions.

Henderson broke his wrist after falling over the advertising boards following England's 3-2 last 16 win over Mexico, but was back in the squad for the quarter-final against Norway.

The midfielder left Liverpool in 2023 to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq and, after brief spells there and with Ajax, moved back to the Premier League before the start of the 2025/26 season with Brentford.

He was one of the Bees' key players during the first half of the campaign, and although his form declined slightly during the early months of 2026, he did go on to make 32 Premier League appearances.

Still, news of Chelsea's interest has come as a major surprise to many, particularly given his age and question marks over what sort of role he can play for a side who are pushing at least for Champions League qualification this season.

Xabi Alonso comments on Jordan Henderson re-emerge

Chelsea are pushing to sign more experienced players this summer, and are also exploring a move for Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, 35, under new manager Xabi Alonso's supervision.

READ MORE: Chelsea allow Xabi Alonso to break strict transfer rule to sign Premier League star

But their interest in Henderson specifically appears to lie in comments Alonso made about the midfielder when he was still the captain of Liverpool.

While Alonso principally described the midfielder's style of play over two periods where he was entering his prime years as a footballer, there are two stand-out remarks that explain how Henderson can help Chelsea this season.

Speaking to Liverpool's official website in 2019, the Spaniard described Henderson as having 'become a figure in the changing room', adding: "I think he's so respected, so important for his team-mates - that's the sense I get from watching in the stands. For the way they play it's very important, the energy he has."

He made similar remarks in an interview three years earlier, shortly after Jurgen Klopp's arrival as manager, noting Henderson's success in replacing Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain.

But he made an interesting remark that may even apply more to the Premier League, and it's all-round style of play, right now as it did back then.

"You need to adapt to your team and team-mates, and the opponent as well," Alonso commented.

"It's different when you play a game against a team that tries to play or a team that wants to play long balls, and you need to be more focused on the second ball or try to be more physical.

"The more complete you are, the better you will adapt for the long season. Henderson does it very well."