Xabi Alonso plays down Welbeck and Henderson transfer talk after Chelsea's pre-season win

‘There will be a lot of transfer links, a lot of rumours’

Chelsea hit back to beat Western Sydney Wanderers 6-4

Xabi Alonso refused to confirm Chelsea are interested in signing the veterans Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson after his first game in charge of the team, a 6-4 pre-season victory against Western Sydney Wanderers on Tuesday, but said he was looking to build a squad that had “proper balance”.

Chelsea are understood to be in talks over a surprise move to sign the 35-year-old Welbeck from Brighton, with the club also reportedly interested in signing the 36-year-old Henderson from Brentford. The links to two Premier League stalwarts reflects a revised transfer strategy under Alonso, with Chelsea seeking to recruit more experienced players into their squad as opposed to be solely focused on signing young players, often tying them to lengthy contracts.

Leverkusen transfer activity should be monitored but Alonso's comments indicate no imminent Welbeck or Henderson signings.