Chelsea legend backs experienced veteran duo Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck to TRANSFORM Xabi Alonso’s Blues

CHELSEA legend Ruud Gullit believes Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck can transform the Blues. When superstar Gullit came to Stamford Bridge in 1995, a few months shy of his 33rd birthday, it marked the beginning of a new era for the club. Ruud Gullit led Chelsea to FA Cup glory in 1997 as player-manager Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Blues legend Gullit was a big critic of the current owners’ recruitment policy Credit: UEFA via Getty Images And the Dutchman says thirtysomethings Henderson and Welbeck bring the experience and authority Chelsea’s otherwise young squad has needed for so long. Gullit said: “It’s funny. We spent so much time discussing how Chelsea lacked experience, and now they’ve added pure experience. Sign up for the Chelsea newsletter Thank you! “Their previous issue was a complete lack of veteran presence. “Henderson and Welbeck will be crucial in the dressing room and on the training pitch. “They can advise younger players on what mistakes to avoid. “Their impact isn’t just measured by matchday minutes, it’s what they do during the week. “You need that guidance in a squad, so the signings make total sense.” Chelsea fans spent much of last season slamming the owners and recruitment chiefs for their policy of signing mainly young players. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Gullit, back row in suit, celebrates the 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup Final Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Stamford Bridge supremo Behdad Eghbali pledged to bring in “ready-made” players to complement talent like teenage sensation Estevao. Henderson, 36, won everything as captain of Liverpool, while Welbeck, 35, has been a Premier League striker for nearly 18 years. Yet some Chelsea supporters are not convinced the pair are the right men to revive the club’s fortunes. But Gullit gives BlueCo credit for recognising their mistakes and reckons Henderson and Welbeck, along with new manager Xabi Alonso, can make a real difference. Gullit said: “The new ownership had a vision, but it failed in execution because they arrived with zero background or experience in football. “American sports management models don’t translate directly to European football. “They initially thought they could win exclusively with young prospects. But who guides those players when things go wrong? “On the pitch, they looked frantic and hasty – always playing in fifth gear without any composure or ability to dictate the tempo. Jordan Henderson has added some experience to Chelsea’s squad Credit: Getty Gullit thinks Henderson and fellow veteran signing Danny Welbeck can help transform Chelsea Credit: Getty “Now, appointing a manager with a strong footballing background and adding experienced players shows they are finally adjusting their philosophy. “To win trophies, you must balance youth with experienced leaders who can guide young players.” Gullit became Chelsea’s player-manager when Glenn Hoddle left to boss England in 1996. The Dutchman led a team featuring Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli and Roberto di Matteo to FA Cup triumph in his first season in charge. But Gullit was sacked in February 1998, despite the Blues enjoying another successful campaign, being following rows with then chairman Ken Bates. Alonso is Chelsea’s SIXTH permanent boss since the BlueCo takeover in May 2022. But Blues chiefs have vowed to give the former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen head coach time to make an impact – and have given him the title of “manager” to reflect his greater influence over recruitment and the club overall. Gullit, speaking on behalf of NY Sports Day, said: “Alonso will want to prove himself after how things ended at Real Madrid. “He has all the qualities to be a top manager, and he brings that experience with him to London. “Initially, I was sceptical about why he chose Chelsea given their rigid structure of handing a manager a squad and telling him to deal with it. “But it feels as though Alonso insisted on having a direct say in recruitment before accepting the job. “The board appears to be listening to him now rather than dictating policy. “It won’t happen overnight – he needs time to evaluate a very large squad and establish his core group.” Ruud Gullit was speaking on behalf of NY Sports Day Comment now