Unfortunately I think Alonso knows exactly what he’s doing. I remember how people laughed at him when he signed Xhaka for Leverkusen because they lacked experience and leadership.
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Really what ? Another decent contract at a top club.
Wouldnt begrudge Hendo going there. He wanted to stay, the club let him go, he went to Saudi. Can’t get worst.
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They are a Ponzi scheme, though I do see the point in Henderson (Bit like what Tuchel did and if you can afford to splash cash around on a coach/mascot then so be it). It’s a lot of their other dealings that confuse me.
Must have missed that transfer - Is Ponzi a young Italian Goalkeeper they’ve just signed on a 9 year contract?
Well it’s a fraudulent scheme term, I know it’s not the same but
9 years + 1 day, 
I can see the sense from a Chelsea perspective. They have loads of players, obviously, but if Alonso is thinking he needs a general or two around the place, to help raise standards while he harnesses the talent at his disposal, it makes sense.
I’d rather Hendo didn’t go there, but we stopped having a say on that when we let him go. Ideally cooler heads would have prevailed at that point, and a compromise reached, as he was still a good player… but was just at the start of transitioning out of the team as a mainstay, main man.
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Just don’t see how a non playing player can walk new into a dressing room and do that leadership. I could just as easily see Hendo rejected by the Chelsea squad. Personally think, unless he is planning a career in management, (quite possibly and I think he may have some of the right attributes) he’s on a hiding to nothing. Thinking out loud, I’m guessing that’s a large part of his motivation and to work with a ‘higher level’ group and get something of a ‘non playing’ perspective; perhaps to ultimately transition to the coaching staff if he works well with Xabi.
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While Hendo won’t play as first choice, he will not however be signing as a non player. At his age, last season he still clock 2000mins, mostly in the PL. And for his age, his injury records last 2 seasons, while not perfect, was pretty decent and that is important. So even at Chelsea, he may not play that much but closing out games, playing against weaker teams in cup games, pushing that attitude when the superstars start pacing, he is that guy you want. I am biased but I think our midfield currently lacks such a leader.
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He seemed very popular with the young players in the England squad
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We have def missed Hendo and Millie’s leadership and driving of standards. Virg is a different type of leader
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Such a strange end to his career, Hasn’t felt the love from any club he’s been at since Liverpool. Seems to be very ‘about himself’ which I suppose is fair enough.
Think he should be aiming higher than being a cheerleader at club and country though.
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Not really sure I’ve seen leadership from Welbeck that’s why I find this odd. But to some Alonso can do no wrong.
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Perhaps Xabi identifies some toxic cunts (Enzo Fernandez was captain, ffs!) and he wants a sacrificial older player or two to help him change the culture?
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Well he would be right in identifying Enzo as a toxic cunt
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If someone would’ve said 3 years ago Hendo would’ve ended up at Chelsea via Saudi, Ajax and Brentford, you’d have been called a mad cunt.
I guess we live in a mad world. Mad world. All around me are familiar faces…
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