Xabi Alonso Addresses Enzo Fernandez Omission from Chelsea Squad

Xabi Alonso insisted that Enzo Fernandez’s surprise omission from Chelsea’s squad at Luton was a joint call between himself and the club, as speculation over the midfielder’s future intensifies.

Fernandez, who came off the bench in Monday night’s Premier League opener against Fulham, was not even among the substitutes as Chelsea eased past Jack Wilshere’s League One side 2-0. A debut strike from Danny Welbeck and a late own goal forced by Estevao carried the Blues through, but the real noise surrounded the player who never made it onto the teamsheet.

City circling as deadline looms

Manchester City are understood to be lining up an offer for Fernandez before the transfer window shuts, aiming to reunite the 25-year-old with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca at the Etihad Stadium. With the deadline set for 11pm BST on Tuesday night (September 1), his absence at Kenilworth Road felt like the strongest sign yet that a move could be close.

Alonso, though, pushed back on that narrative.

“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 entirely.

Reports from Argentina had claimed Fernandez himself requested not to play against Luton. Alonso dismissed that outright.

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

Alonso stands by his call

Pressed on whether the omission was linked to ongoing talks between City and Chelsea, Alonso again denied any direct transfer influence.

“No, it's just because of the game today and we had other players that needed minutes and it was that way,” he said.

The Chelsea head coach revealed he made the call on Wednesday afternoon, after his pre-match press conference in which he had indicated he expected Fernandez to feature in some capacity.

“It's a decision that I took,” Alonso explained, without confirming whether he had spoken personally to the midfielder before finalising 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 it was only about rotation and minutes. With City circling and the clock ticking towards Tuesday night, the next team sheet may tell a very different story.