Alonso leaves Enzo Fernández future open at Chelsea
Summary
Xabi Alonso has stopped short of guaranteeing that Enzo Fernández will still be a Chelsea player if Manchester City decide to make a late move for him. Chelsea’s position is unsettled despite the club’s unofficial £120m deadline for written bids passing, and Fernández’s own wish to leave has kept the possibility alive.
Affected Groups
Chelsea would need a replacement midfielder if Fernández goes, and have already looked at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. City are weighing Fernández against Roma’s Manu Koné as they rebuild midfield after Rodri’s move to Barcelona, while Alonso is also trying to trim the squad before the window closes.
Key Uncertainty
Alonso’s public line is firm but limited: he says Fernández is a Chelsea player and training well, yet avoids saying the midfielder will stay beyond the window.
Chelsea have already had one bid for Scott rejected, Bournemouth are expected to resist a sale and Palace have turned down City’s offer for Wharton, so any reshuffle could still stall.
Next Decision
The situation will sharpen before the transfer window shuts and again when Chelsea travel to Fulham on Monday night, with Fernández expected to be in the squad.