Xabi Alonso Dodges Enzo Fernandez Exit Question As Chelsea Set Transfer Deadline

Fernandez in action against Real Sociedad

Xabi Alonso: We’ve made the right choices as Chelsea face Enzo Fernandez and squad upheaval. Chelsea boss Alonso stays quiet on Fernandez rumours linked to Man City reunion.

Alonso refuses to confirm Fernandez will remain at Chelsea amid exit rumours...

Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso wouldn’t say whether Enzo Fernandez intends to stay at Stamford Bridge, with the Argentina midfielder heavily linked to a move to Manchester City.

City are on the hunt for a new midfielder after selling Rodri to Barcelona, and boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly interested in bringing Fernandez back to link up again after they worked together at Chelsea.

Maresca and Fernandez spent 18 months working together before Maresca left Stamford Bridge in January.

Fernandez angered Chelsea fans last season after suggesting multiple times that he might be open to leaving the Premier League side, with Real Madrid among the clubs linked.

He was jeered by the Chelsea crowd during Saturday’s friendly victory over Real Sociedad.

Chelsea are reportedly aware of City’s interest and have set an August 14th deadline for any bids for Fernandez, who is valued at about £120 million.

With the transfer window shutting on September 1st, Alonso was asked directly if Fernandez had told him he wants to stay at Stamford Bridge.

“Enzo is a Chelsea player, a top, top player. He's training really well, he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated,” Alonso told reporters on Thursday.

“We are happy with him, and he is getting ready for Monday. He's training really well, and I see him with a good attitude. That's what we want.

“He's trying his best to prepare for the Premier League kick-off.”

Fernandez, the Argentina international, was sent off in his nation’s World Cup final loss to Spain in July. He arrived at Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for £106.8 million.

It would be a major setback for Alonso to lose one of his toughest midfielders as he kicks off his first Premier League campaign with a west London derby against Fulham on Monday.

Fulham are led by Alvaro Arbeloa, who shares a close friendship with Alonso dating back to their playing days together at Liverpool, Real Madrid and for Spain.

How Enzo Fernandez has fared in League Football recently

Alonso eyes fresh start as Chelsea face Fulham test

“Of course you can have a relationship, but once you're on the pitch, no friends, no past,” Alonso said. “It's just the 90 minutes that we are playing, fighting for each club.”

Both Chelsea and Alonso have something to prove after tough campaigns last season.

The Spaniard built his name in management by guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a domestic double in Germany in 2024.

However, his stint at Real Madrid ended in January after less than eight months when he was dismissed, while Chelsea slumped to 10th in the Premier League and missed out on European football this term.

“We feel ready. We've prepared the whole pre-season, six weeks with some players from the first day, others coming later,” Alonso said.

“The desire, the hunger, the ambition to play the Premier League is already in the building, in each training. Looking forward to it.”

When asked about Chelsea’s summer additions – including Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson, Alonso said: “I'm very happy. I think we have made many right choices.”

“Very good balance in terms of quality, personality, maturity, different stages of their career, good momentum. We are in a good position, I would say.”

Chelsea FC: Brand New Season pic.twitter.com/p29ujt3a2f

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 20, 2026

Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk are said to be part of a group training away from Alonso’s main squad, with all three linked to moves away from the club.