Chelsea’s new manager, Xabi Alonso, has expressed his clear intention to retain Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez at the club. Fernandez has been the subject of transfer speculation, with reports linking him to Real Madrid.
Alonso, who recently took the helm at Stamford Bridge, confirmed his desire to keep the World Cup star during his initial press conference. When questioned about Fernandez’s future, Alonso stated, “Yeah,” indicating his determination to integrate the midfielder into his plans for the upcoming season.
Fernandez had previously been suspended by Chelsea for two matches last season due to comments he made expressing a wish to live in Madrid. This led to significant speculation about a potential move to Real Madrid. However, the Spanish club issued a statement earlier this month denying any intention to sign the Argentine midfielder, who is currently participating in the World Cup.
Real Madrid’s statement clarified their position, expressing regret that “information continues to be disseminated that does not correspond to reality and that only contributes to generating confusion among fans and unnecessarily harming the entities and people involved.” This public denial from Real Madrid appears to have altered the landscape surrounding Fernandez’s potential departure from Chelsea.
Alonso acknowledged having conversations with Fernandez but chose to keep the details private. “We spoke, but what we spoke about remains private,” he commented. Despite the midfielder’s previous desire to leave, Alonso’s stance suggests a pathway for Fernandez to remain with Chelsea.
The situation with Fernandez stands in contrast to that of winger Alejandro Garnacho, who appears likely to depart Stamford Bridge this summer. Garnacho is not currently involved in Chelsea’s pre-season preparations as discussions about a move away from the club are ongoing. Alonso noted, “We have spoken with the sporting directors and there is interest from him, from other clubs, so let’s see how it develops.” He added, “Hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for all parties.”
Meanwhile, Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, could still feature in Alonso’s plans. Jackson is expected to join the team for their tour in Asia. Alonso stated, “He will join the tour in Asia and we’re looking forward to starting with Nico at that time.”
The focus on Fernandez’s future comes as Chelsea navigates a busy transfer period. In other transfer news, Manchester United has reportedly finalised a £48m deal for Andrey Santos from Chelsea and is also said to be nearing a move for Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, after a potential transfer for Ederson was put on hold. Aston Villa is also reportedly monitoring several wingers as their summer transfer activity continues.
The return of Fernandez to Chelsea, following his World Cup commitments, would see him work under Alonso, potentially putting past transfer desires behind them. The midfielder is currently with the Argentina squad, preparing for a World Cup semi-final match against England.
The new manager’s immediate priority seems to be stabilising the squad and integrating key players like Fernandez. Alonso’s clear communication regarding Fernandez’s future indicates a desire to move forward with the player as a central part of his plans at Chelsea.
The club’s strategy for the upcoming season under Alonso is beginning to take shape, with decisions being made on the futures of several players, including the determined effort to keep Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea.
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Source: skysports.com
