Football NewsThe GuardianUnverified source· 4 Aug 2026
Chelsea's odd transfer plan: Recreate 2010 Sunderland
Chelsea's new transfer policy seems to be reassembling the Sunderland team that beat them 3-0 in 2010.
Chelsea
team
Match
Sunderland 3-0 Chelsea, Nov 2010
Players
Welbeck, Henderson, Cattermole, Gordon, Zenden, Richardson
Current duo
Welbeck and Henderson now teammates
What happened. Chelsea appear to be targeting players from the Sunderland XI that beat them 3-0 in November 2010, having already reunited Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
- Welbeck scored in that 2010 win while on loan from Man United.
- Henderson was 20 and soon to make his England debut.
- Chelsea may target Craig Gordon, Bolo Zenden, or Kieran Richardson next.
The club's strategy is a humorous pivot, but it's unclear if it's serious or a joke.
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