Everything Xabi Alonso has said about Granit Xhaka as Chelsea strike 'full agreement'

Chelsea are in contact with Sunderland to sign Granit Xhaka and have already struck an agreement on personal terms with the midfielder.

Xhaka, 33, left Bayer Leverkusen for the Black Cats last summer, returning to the Premier League two years after he had left Arsenal.

The Switzerland captain was brought to the Bundesliga by Xabi Alonso and subsequently played 50 of the 53 games that the German side played in the 2023-24 season, losing just once as they won the double.

Alonso left the Bundesliga for Real Madrid last summer and was dismissed in January, but has now been appointed by Chelsea.

The Spaniard has spoken very highly of Xhaka in the past, and it appears that he will now look to reunite with his former player.

The signing represents a change of approach by Chelsea, who have been prone to signing players under the age of 25 in recent seasons.

Xabi Alonso on 'real fighter' Granit Xhaka

Xhaka's career has taken on an interesting path, with the perception of his ability having dramatically changed in recent years.

When the midfielder arrived at Arsenal in 2016, he looked to be sluggish and error-prone, making numerous blunders.

One moment even saw the Switzerland international publicly fall out with the Emirates Stadium faithful, looking set to leave the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta's arrival kept him in North London and saw him take on a new role and set of responsibilities - ones that platformed his qualities and allowed his talent and hunger to shine through.

Xhaka has only continued to enhance that perception in recent years, and is now recognised among the Premier League's best midfielders.

"Granit is a real fighter, he showed the big heart he has," Alonso said of the midfielder in 2024. "He really wanted to stay on the field and continued to fight.

"He continued to play in a very disciplined and focused manner. He is an aggressive leader and constantly pushes the limits."

A year earlier, just months after Xhaka's arrival, Alonso said: "He has had a huge impact on the team since day one. He is an extremely important player for us. If you have good midfielders, you play better."

What has Xhaka said about Alonso?

Xhaka had won the FA Cup twice with Arsenal, but it was under Alonso at Leverkusen that he experienced huge success.

The midfielder was key as the Spaniard's side lifted the Bundesliga unbeaten in 2024, and they would come just one game away from winning an unbeaten treble.

In quotes recorded in DAZN's documentary, The Architect: From Myth to Challenge, Xhaka said: "He had no experience on the big stage.

"What he did have was personality. When he walked into the dressing room and started talking, everyone was completely focused.”

"Every word he said was true. He wasn’t fake. He was authentic," the 33-year-old added.

It now appears that the pair are to be reunited in the coming weeks, with Alonso hoping to see Xhaka have a similar impact.