Enzo Fernández's Future at Chelsea: What Xabi Alonso Says
Xabi Alonso has refused to promise that Chelsea will stand their ground if Manchester City come hard for Enzo Fernández.
The midfielder’s future is still hanging in the balance. Chelsea’s informal deadline for clubs to submit written offers of £120m for the 25-year-old Argentina international has come and gone, yet the threat of a late move has not. City, reshaping their midfield after Rodri’s move to Barcelona, have Fernández high on their list and are weighing up a bid as the window ticks towards its close. Roma’s Manu Koné is also on their radar, but Fernández is a prime target.
Chelsea know they are in a delicate position. They have already lined up potential successors, with Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton identified as leading options if Fernández goes. Inside the club, there is an acceptance that the situation could change quickly. Fernández has made no secret of his wish to leave Stamford Bridge, and Alonso offered nothing in the way of reassurance when pressed on whether the World Cup winner will still be in his squad once the window shuts.
“Enzo is a Chelsea player,” the former Real Madrid manager said. “He’s a top player. He’s training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team. Very integrated, and we are happy with him. He’s getting ready for Monday.”
Chelsea begin their Premier League season away at Fulham on Monday night. Fernández is expected to be involved, but even there Alonso sidestepped the bigger issue. Asked directly whether the £106.7m signing has told him he wants to stay, the head coach swerved the question.
“He’s training really well. I see him with a good attitude. That’s what we want. Everyone is trying their best to prepare for the kick off of the Premier League.”
If Fernández leaves, Chelsea will move for a replacement. They are strong admirers of Scott and have already seen one bid rejected for the 22-year-old, with Bournemouth making it clear they intend to keep him this summer. Wharton is viewed as a serious alternative, though City are also in that race and have already had an offer for the England midfielder turned down by Palace.
While the Fernández saga rumbles on, Alonso is also trying to streamline a bloated squad. Up front, Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu have slipped down the hierarchy and are expected to move on before the deadline. Delap has no shortage of suitors, with Everton, Leeds, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest all monitoring his situation.
There is interest in exits at the back as well. Palace want to strengthen their defence by bringing in Axel Disasi on loan, while Chelsea are open to movement elsewhere in the squad. The club also hold interest in Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto as they juggle potential incomings and outgoings.
Chelsea head to Craven Cottage with their season starting under a cloud of uncertainty. Whether Fernández is still in blue by the time the window closes could define the shape of Alonso’s first campaign.
