Wayne Rooney has criticised Chelsea’s transfer strategy, branding the sales of Noni Madueke to Arsenal and the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United as ‘very strange’ decisions. The former England captain expressed his bewilderment on his BBC podcast, questioning the logic behind moves that have weakened the Blues while strengthening rivals.
Madueke has thrived at Arsenal, helping them top the Premier League and reach the Champions League final, while his replacement Jamie Gittens has scored just one goal. Garnacho, signed for £40m from United, has also underwhelmed with a single Premier League strike. Rooney stated: ‘Selling Madueke to Arsenal and signing Gittens, I just didn’t get that… I never got the signing of Garnacho.’
Despite Chelsea’s struggles, Rooney believes the club can challenge for the title next season under incoming manager Xabi Alonso, provided they recruit wisely. He praised the owners for realising past mistakes and appointing Alonso as manager rather than head coach, giving him control over recruitment. ‘If they get the signings right in the summer, I actually think they could be up there challenging for the title,’ Rooney added.
Alonso, who previously won the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, will take over after a brief spell at Real Madrid. Chelsea, currently in danger of missing European football, have two games remaining under interim boss Calum McFarlane before Alonso’s arrival.
