Paul Scholes has accused Chelsea of 'wasting money' with their summer transfer strategy, specifically targeting the signings of Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck. The former Manchester United midfielder told The Overlap Fan Debate that the club has 'gone from one extreme to another' in its recruitment approach under new manager Xabi Alonso.
Shift in Transfer Policy
Alonso's appointment as Liam Rosenior's permanent successor has coincided with a significant change in Chelsea's transfer direction. After a chaotic season that saw the Blues fail to qualify for Europe, the club has largely moved away from signing untried youngsters from Europe and South America, instead focusing on Premier League-proven players.
The arrivals of Morgan Rogers and Maxence Lacroix typify this new approach, driven by Alonso, whose job title as manager rather than head coach is no coincidence. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder made it clear he would only accept the role on the proviso of having a greater say on incomings and outgoings.
Scholes Questions Veteran Impact
Having been forced to abandon his pursuit of Granit Xhaka, Alonso has had a major hand in the shock signings of Welbeck and Henderson. Both are expected to assume senior leadership roles in a dressing room that has sorely missed those qualities, particularly since the departure of Thiago Silva.
Chelsea collected a record eight red cards last season and regularly threw away leads. Scholes, however, questioned how much impact the two veterans will have if they are not on the pitch regularly.
'Those two older players, it feels you've gone from one extreme to another, I can't get my head around it,' Scholes said. 'You've got a load of 21-year-olds, alright get some more experience at 28 or 29 but they're like 37 or 38.'
He added, 'I get the Xhaka one, he's still a good player and he was brilliant in the World Cup. I think that's where he'll expect the most and that's where they're going to have most influence on the training pitch because they're not going to be playing all the time, especially Henderson. Welbeck will still come on but that's where they're going to be most valuable. Look if Chelsea have got money to waste doing that then it's down to them isn't it.'
Carragher Echoes Concerns
Jamie Carragher echoed those sentiments, particularly puzzled by the signing of his former Liverpool teammate Henderson. The ex-Liverpool captain, now 36, has had a nomadic career since leaving Anfield three years ago, with spells at Al-Ettifaq, Ajax and Brentford.
'I find it strange because I think the signing from Crystal Palace is really good,' Carragher said, referring to Lacroix. 'You've got a lot of young centre backs, he comes in, he knows the league and he's an experienced player.'
Carragher continued, 'But you're talking about the issue on the pitch in terms of red cards and losing leads, throwing leads away. How much are they going to be on the pitch, Henderson and Welbeck? That's my point, if they were 28 or 29 say like Tielemans in that age bracket. I know they're going to be great on the training pitch and we'll be getting hit with those stories if Chelsea make a great start it'll be Henderson and Welbeck are great in the dressing room.'
'In terms of helping Chelsea with discipline which Chelsea need or helping see games out they could come on the last 10 or 15 minutes of games. But what Chelsea need help with is that experience on the pitch,' he added.
Carragher acknowledged Henderson's value off the pitch but stressed the need for on-pitch experience. 'He will add something off the pitch but I think experience you need on the pitch I look at the lad from Crystal Palace as more valuable than Henderson coming in.'
