Xabi Alonso Addresses Enzo Fernandez's Omission from Chelsea Squad

Xabi Alonso insisted Enzo Fernandez’s surprise omission from Chelsea’s squad at Luton was a joint call between himself and the club, as transfer noise around the midfielder grew louder.

Fernandez, who came off the bench in Monday night’s Premier League opener against Fulham, did not even travel as Chelsea beat Jack Wilshere’s League One side 2-0. A debut goal from Danny Welbeck and a late own goal forced by Estevao settled it, but the bigger story was the Argentine’s absence.

Manchester City are understood to be lining up a move for the 25-year-old before the transfer window shuts, with the Premier League champions keen to reunite him with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium. Leaving Fernandez out at Kenilworth Road felt like the clearest sign yet that a deal could be edging closer before Tuesday night’s 11pm BST deadline.

Alonso, though, pushed back on that idea.

“We assess individually, collectively, what's the best for the team, for tonight, what was better for other players that were playing and we take the decision,” he said when asked about leaving Fernandez out of the squad entirely.

Reports in Argentina had claimed Fernandez asked not to feature against Luton. Alonso dismissed that suggestion.

“No, it was a decision from myself and from the club,” he replied.

The Chelsea head coach was then pressed on whether the omission meant talks between City and Chelsea were now under way.

“No, it's just because of the game today and we had other players that needed minutes and it was that way,” he said, keeping the focus firmly on the night rather than the market.

Alonso revealed he made the call on Wednesday afternoon, after a press conference in which he had publicly stated he expected Fernandez to play some part against Luton.

“It's a decision that I took,” he said, stopping short of confirming whether he had spoken directly to the player about it.

“He’s a good professional. He's training well and I have nothing to say about him. It was just a decision that we had to take, thinking about the game that we're playing tonight and we'll see for Sunday [against Brighton].”

For now, Chelsea insist this was about rotation and minutes. The clock, and Manchester City, may yet tell a different story before Tuesday night.