Xabi Alonso Reveals Enzo Fernandez's Attitude In Chelsea Training Amid Man City Interest

Xabi Alonso insists that he is happy to keep Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea, but he declined to close the door completely on a potential summer exit.

Chelsea received no offer for the 25-year-old before the club's Friday, August 24, deadline.

However, the future of Fernandez, valued at £120 million, remains unclear, with Manchester City still interested in the midfielder.

The transfer saga is an unnecessary distraction amid Chelsea’s preparation for their Premier League opening game against Fulham on Monday, August 24. This could even prove to be the case until deadline day on September 1.

On the bright side, Alonso has made it clear that Fernandez has not caused any trouble in training.

“Enzo is a Chelsea player,” the Chelsea boss said in his press conference on Thursday when asked whether the midfielder will remain in the team after the summer window closes.

”He's a top, top player. He's training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated. We're happy with him and he's getting ready for Monday.”

Asked whether Fernandez had told him that he wanted to stay, Alonso responded: “He's training really well, good attitude and that's what we want.

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

Fernandez's positive attitude is reassuring despite unclear future at Chelsea

This is great news since, despite his potential departure, Fernandez remains an influential figure in the Chelsea dressing room.

While it is not ideal that Alonso could not confirm that Fernandez has expressed his desire to stay at Chelsea, at least the midfielder has not been disruptive.

He is a vice-captain and a member of the leadership group. He even wore the captain’s armband when he came on as a second-half substitute in Chelsea’s 3-1 pre-season win over Real Sociedad, which invited mixed reactions from the Stamford Bridge crowd.

Alonso’s team selection on Monday will provide even more indication of his stance on Fernandez’s situation. If Fernandez makes the starting line-up, this likely means Alonso is truly content with the Argentina international’s level on the training pitch.

Otherwise, it will undoubtedly raise questions because, ability-wise, Fernandez should be a regular starter in this team.

Chelsea are understood to remain confident that Fernandez can be reintegrated into the squad without many issues. Still, there is concern about the potential disruption that his late exit could cause, particularly in bringing in a replacement.

As it stands, Alonso has six other options in central midfield: Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson and even Reece James, who is naturally a right-back.

Caicedo and James started in midfield in the win over Real Sociedad. Wesley Fofana’s suspension, carried over from his red card against Sunderland, means Alonso may want to consider playing the latter on the right of the back three.

Of course, Alonso has other options for the right centre-back role, including the younger Josh Acheampong.