Xabi Alonso Confirms Enzo Fernandez Will Play in Carabao Cup Despite Manchester City's £120 Million Bid
Xabi Alonso, Chelsea's manager, expects Enzo Fernandez to take part in the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Luton Town on Thursday. This update comes amid intense rumors of a late £120 million transfer offer from Premier League rivals Manchester City.
Transfer Buzz and Club Plans
Despite earlier deadlines set by Chelsea that Manchester City missed, the club remains eager to sign Fernandez before the transfer window closes. Fernandez has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the summer. Yet, Alonso insists Fernandez is fully involved in Chelsea’s preparations and praised his professionalism.
"Yes, so we expect that he’s involved. He has trained, he’s training really well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved," Alonso stated.
Fan Reception and Chelsea's Strategy
Fernandez received a positive welcome from Chelsea fans when he appeared as a substitute in their Premier League opener against Fulham. This came after some boos during a pre-season friendly related to his controversial role in Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England. When asked about keeping Fernandez, Alonso was cautious, emphasizing the need for careful assessment.
"We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let’s see how things develop," Alonso explained.
Potential Replacements and Transfer Considerations
If Fernandez leaves, Chelsea might return to pursue Bournemouth’s Alex Scott. Bournemouth has so far resisted interest, but an offer exceeding £80 million, possibly nearing £90 million, could change their stance. Alonso avoided committing to whether selling Fernandez depends on securing a replacement.
"It is always about understanding the context, the situation, timings, circumstances, so there is not a defined rule for everything. You need to know how things have worked, what you want, what you want for the future, so I don’t have the rules in stone. We need to assess each situation," he added.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s immediate focus remains the Carabao Cup tie against Luton Town where Fernandez is expected to play. Afterward, attention will shift to important Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Manchester City must act quickly if they want to secure Fernandez before the transfer deadline on September 1.
- Carabao Cup Match: Chelsea vs Luton Town, 27 Aug 2026, 20:30
- Premier League Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, 28 Aug 2026, 21:00
