Chelsea 'making a lot of transfer mistakes' as 'weird' Granit Xhaka pursuit lambasted by insider

Chelsea have been making several "mistakes" with their recruitment in the last few transfer windows.

That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Blues' transfer business has generally become shoddy.

This comes after the news that Xabi Alonso's side have missed out on a move for Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka, who ultimately preferred to stay put at the Stadium of Light.

Wyness was sceptical as to whether the 33-year-old was ever truly the right target for the West Londoners, and believes it is yet more evidence of their wires being crossed when it comes to their transfer pursuits.

Xhaka is likely now in the twilight of his career, and will have turned 34 by the end of September.

His decision to remain on Wearside has forced Chelsea to look elsewhere to strengthen their midfield, but Wyness believes that concerns remain over their recruitment.

Keith Wyness: Granit Xhaka a 'weird choice' for Chelsea

Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Chelsea's attempted move for Xhaka was an "extreme" effort to get more experience into their youthful squad.

The Swiss star previously enjoyed huge success under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, but Wyness is in no doubt that he was a "weird choice" for Chelsea to target this summer.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, he made it clear that errors have begun to creep into their recruitment.

"Well, this one really did surprise me. Chelsea have been getting all the rap about not having experienced players with a blend of youngsters, and then they go and pick Xhaka. Now, to me, that's going to the extreme about getting some experience in," Wyness said.

"I think it is one more season for Xhaka, and as fit as he may be, I think he's going to see the stress this year, and I don't think he would have had that great a season with Chelsea compared to what I think he could have at Sunderland. 

"To me, it was a very weird choice. I think Chelsea would have got it wrong once again.

"They're starting to make a lot of mistakes, and this is going to be a very interesting season for Chelsea."

Liam Delap latest amid Everton interest

Football Insider revealed on Saturday that Chelsea striker Liam Delap is keen to stay put at Stamford Bridge despite interest from Everton.

The 23-year-old is hoping to stay and impress Alonso during pre-season, and earn himself a bigger role within the squad in 2025-26.

Delap joined Chelsea from Ipswich for £30million last summer, but managed just three goals across his debut campaign.

Everton are in the market for new strikers at the moment, but Delap is reluctant to make the move unless his circumstances change.