Granit Xhaka reveals reason for rejecting Chelsea reunion with Xabi Alonso

Granit Xhaka has broken his silence on why he chose to stay loyal to Sunderland despite an emotional reunion offer from Xabi Alonso at Chelsea.

Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka has opened up for the first time on his decision to reject a summer approach from Chelsea, revealing that the emotional pull of reuniting with former Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso was never enough to shake his loyalty to the Stadium of Light project.

Speaking on The Sports Agents podcast, the veteran midfielder admitted “it’s a big privilege for myself that Xabi Alonso, who I worked with, wanted me again” and that it carried extra weight given “a football club like Chelsea want a player, nearly 34 years old.”

He was quick to stress, however, that his commitment ran far deeper than sentiment, explaining “when I spoke with the owner of Sunderland, I told him from the beginning, I don’t have the feeling that this project is done yet, and this is my motivation, that’s why they put me here and that’s why I’m still here to get to the next step.”

Xhaka also addressed suggestions of behind-the-scenes contact with his old coach, saying

“I still have contact with all my coaches… it doesn’t mean when you have contact with the coach that there is something behind it. There was something behind, yes, for sure, but my commitment to the club was straightforward.”

Chelsea reportedly had an opening £8million bid rejected before improving their offer to around £10million as Alonso personally lobbied his new club’s hierarchy to sanction a deal, but Sunderland’s stance never wavered, with the Black Cats standing firm on their refusal to sell the player who inspired their remarkable seventh-place finish and Europa League qualification following promotion from the Championship.

With two years still left on his contract that runs until 2028, Xhaka now looks set to lead Régis Le Bris’s side into continental competition rather than chase a return to elite European football through a move to west London.

He closed his reflection with a simple statement of intent: “I want to enjoy the European football with this football club, with the fans, and hopefully we can get more after this season.”