Alonso hints at Enzo Fernández uncertainty amid City interest
Xabi Alonso is refusing to promise that Enzo Fernández will still be a Chelsea player by the end of the transfer window, with Manchester City weighing up a late move for the midfielder.
Fernández’s future remains wide open. Chelsea’s informal deadline for written offers of £120m for the 25-year-old has come and gone, yet the prospect of him leaving Stamford Bridge still hangs over their season before a ball has been kicked.
City, rebuilding their midfield after Rodri’s move to Barcelona, have identified Fernández as a prime target and are considering whether to test Chelsea’s resolve before the window closes. They are also tracking Roma’s Manu Koné as they look to reshape the centre of the pitch.
Chelsea, for their part, are braced for turbulence. They have lined up Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as possible successors if Fernández forces his way out. Inside the club there is no illusion: the situation can turn quickly. The Argentina international has made no secret of his desire to move on, and Alonso offered no guarantees when pressed on whether Enzo will still be in blue next month.
“Enzo is a Chelsea player,” the former Real Madrid midfielder 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 campaign away to Fulham on Monday night, and Fernández is expected to be in the squad. The questions, though, keep coming. Asked directly whether the £106.7m signing had told him he wants to stay, Alonso stepped around it again.
“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 goes, Chelsea will move. They are long‑standing admirers of Scott but have already seen one bid rejected and have been told Bournemouth intend to keep the 22-year-old this summer. Wharton is viewed as another strong option, yet City have already had an offer for the England midfielder turned down by Palace, underlining how difficult it will be to prise him away.
While the Enzo saga dominates, Alonso is also trying to streamline a bloated squad. Up front, Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Marc Guiu have slipped down the pecking order and are expected to find opportunities elsewhere before deadline day. Delap, in particular, has no shortage of suitors, with Everton, Leeds, Ipswich and Nottingham Forest all monitoring his situation.
There is movement around the edges of the squad too. Chelsea retain interest in Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto, while Palace are looking to strengthen their back line by taking Axel Disasi on loan.
Chelsea head to Craven Cottage with their marquee midfielder still in place, for now. Whether Alonso can build a season around him, or whether City rip up those plans in the coming weeks, may define the early shape of Chelsea’s new era.
