Chelsea buoyant as bold summer transfer decision pays off

News

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Jordan Henderson scored twice and provided one assist as Chelsea got their season back on track with a 5-1 thumping of Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues headed into the international break without a win in three Premier League games, including a 3-0 defeat to Brentford, and questions were beginning to be asked of Xabi Alonso amid his side’s lack of defensive solidity.

In response, his team secured their third league victory of the season to move up to sixth place in the English top flight table, and Henderson was the star of the show.

The 36-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge on a Bosman deal in early August, after his contract at Brentford had been mutually terminated, and it was initially felt as though he would play an extremely limited playing role.

Rumours hinted that Henderson was primarily seen as someone capable of raising standards on the training ground and in the dressing room, rather than on the pitch itself. However, he was named in the starting XI ahead of Romeo Lavia on Saturday, and he more than justified his selection with two excellent goals, including a wicked free-kick, and an assist to fire Chelsea to their first league victory since August.

Chelsea had originally pursued a deal for Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka amid their bid to bolster their squad with an experienced central midfielder, but they soon turned their attention to Henderson and they are now reaping the rewards of that decision.

Morgan Rogers heaps praise on Jordan Henderson

Speaking after Chelsea’s 5-1 win on Saturday, Rogers told reporters: “People said he was too old and you saw (vs Bournemouth) what he does. Everyone in the dressing room knows what he can do. He's probably still the fittest player at the club to be honest. He's a machine.

"People forget about his football because they just think he's experienced. But the guy can still play football. He's won everything in the game.”

Meanwhile, in his Instagram post after the match, he wrote: “Dubs at home. @jordanhenderson ageing like fine [glass of wine emoji].”

It remains to be seen if Henderson will retain his starting XI place once club captain Reece James returns to full fitness, but he has already proven himself to be a hugely valuable member of the Chelsea squad and given he arrived on a free transfer, the Blues will be buoyed by another successful signing.

Related stories:

How Piers Morgan helped turn Cristiano Ronaldo into ‘Homelando’

Guardiola’s Man City silver lining: Pep can keep promise and silence critics

Transfer Rumours: Man Utd 'totally convinced' to sign breakout €50m wonderkid