Chelsea's pursuit of Xhaka highlights shift in squad-building strategy

[p]In recent years, the West London side have built their recruitment strategy around signing some of the game's brightest young talents on long-term contracts, investing heavily in players they believe can form the backbone of future success.[/p][p]However, that approach has also attracted criticism, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/chelsea/4fGZN2oK/"]Chelsea[/a] at times lacking experience and leadership in key moments.[/p][p][b]There is now a greater openness to adding proven players who can make an immediate impact - and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/xhaka-granit/QBHCDKff/"]Xhaka[/a] fits that profile.[/b][/p][embed guid="e4481c01-36b8-4b75-9cf6-e7f153e5372e" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2070914236125974938" social-type="twitter" /][p]He joined [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sunderland/WSzc94ws/"]Sunderland[/a] last year in a £17million move from Bayer Leverkusen, and the 33-year-old Switzerland international remains under contract until 2028.[/p][p]He played a key role in helping Sunderland qualify for European competition last season. The club are reluctant to part with one of their most influential players.[/p][p][b]As such, it is believed Chelsea could be forced to pay as much as £35 million to secure Xhaka's signature when they formalise their interest. [/b][b]Sources are indicating Chelsea may be unwilling to reach that figure, so they face a dilemma.[/b][/p][p]The good news from a Chelsea perspective is that Xhaka is interested in the move, and it is anticipated that he would be offered a contract until 2029.[/p][p]But while the club values his experience and leadership qualities, they believe a fee in that £35m region for a player at this stage of his career would represent poor value.[/p][image alt="Xhaka's stats in the 25/26 Premier League season" id="eb8d9190-8063-406f-b601-0350f7b9dcff" credit-line="Opta by StatsPerform (photo by Reuters / Lee Smith)" guid="5986af20-e961-4324-9142-6f90f0dd8126" original-width="1080" original-height="1080" /][p]Chelsea are continuing to assess a number of options across the market as they reshape the squad this summer.[/p][h2]Lacroix among other targets[/h2][p]While midfield remains an important area, the club are also exploring defensive reinforcements, with a new centre-back another priority.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/crystal-palace/AovF1Mia/"]Crystal Palace[/a] defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lacroix-maxence/j5bGWFU7/"]Maxence Lacroix[/a] is among the players Chelsea have monitored for some time, and they are pushing ahead with their interest.[/p][p]He is highly regarded internally, with new boss Xabi Alonso understood to be a particularly strong admirer of both his aggressive playing style and resilient mentality.[/p][infobox id="f961102e-920a-4281-b5f2-f996852544cf" /]