Chelsea targets experienced players Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson, and Danny Welbeck
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 28, 2026, 5:34 AM
Last updated Jul 28, 2026
Chelsea is pursuing deals for Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson, and Danny Welbeck, indicating a shift towards experienced players. Lacroix, 26, could join from Crystal Palace for £52 million, while Brighton striker Welbeck, 35, and Brentford midfielder Henderson, 36, are also on Chelsea's radar. This strategy contrasts with previous years' focus on younger talent, following a series of underwhelming signings. The club's recruitment may be influenced by the struggles of older acquisitions in recent seasons.
- •Chelsea aims for Maxence Lacroix, a £52m target from Crystal Palace.
- •Danny Welbeck, 35, is interested in a move to Chelsea.
- •Jordan Henderson, 36, is also a transfer target for the club.
- •Chelsea previously shifted focus to younger players after mixed results.
- •This shift towards experienced signings may signal new tactics for the club.
- 3:26 PMYahoo Sports — Are Alonso's Chelsea prioritising experience over youth?
- 5:34 AMYahoo Sports — Why Chelsea want to sign older players
- 5:34 AMBBC Sport — Why Chelsea want to sign older players
"Chelsea are targeting deals for Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson and the ages of the experienced trio, especially the latter two, seem to signal a major change in transfer tactics from the Blues. At 26 years old, it could be said that Crystal Palace defender Lacroix is in his prime, but the £52m target is still notably older than other recent Blues signings. It has been two years since Chelsea signed a player older than Lacroix, and Tosin Adarabioyo was only marginally older when he arrived three months before turning 27.
"Chelsea have not paid a transfer fee for a player aged 26 or over since the summer of 2022 with the ill-fated acquisitions of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly. But Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix is a player worth relaxing the policy for.
"Chelsea are targeting deals for Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck - three experienced heads, in an age when the focus has been on youth.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 3:26 PMAre Alonso's Chelsea prioritising experience over youth?
Chelsea are targeting deals for Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson and the ages of the experienced trio, especially the latter two, seem to signal a major change in transfer tactics from the Blues. At 26 years old, it could be said that Crystal Palace defender Lacroix is in his prime, but the £52m target is still notably older than other recent Blues signings. It has been two years since Chelsea signed a player older than Lacroix, and Tosin Adarabioyo was only marginally older when he arrived three months before turning 27.
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 5:34 AMWhy Chelsea want to sign older players
Chelsea are targeting deals for Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck - three experienced heads, in an age when the focus has been on youth.
- BBC SportJul 28, 2026, 5:34 AMWhy Chelsea want to sign older players
Chelsea are targeting deals for Maxence Lacroix, Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck - three experienced heads, in an age when the focus has been on youth.
- Sky Sports—Why do Chelsea want to sign Lacroix from Palace?
Chelsea have not paid a transfer fee for a player aged 26 or over since the summer of 2022 with the ill-fated acquisitions of Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly. But Crystal Palace’s Maxence Lacroix is a player worth relaxing the policy for.
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