Headline: Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso Seeks Committed Players Amid Enzo Fernandez Transfer Speculation
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed his desire for players who “feel a desire to play” for the club following the exclusion of Enzo Fernandez from the squad during Thursday’s victory over Luton Town.
Reports indicate that there has been no formal communication from Manchester City regarding a potential transfer for the Argentine international. Chelsea’s asking price for Fernandez, initially set at £120 million after he indicated a desire to leave in May, is reportedly not strictly enforced due to the expiration of a deadline for offers on August 13.
Chelsea remains optimistic that market valuations have increased, influenced by a flurry of transfers in the Premier League and beyond, with three deals surpassing the £100 million mark. The club’s stance may be further solidified after Liverpool struck a £120 million deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola.
If Fernandez departs late in the transfer window, it may leave Chelsea little time to find a replacement, and they could face higher asking prices from other clubs. The club is open to his sale before the Tuesday deadline, but only if it allows for opportunities to strengthen the squad, hinting at a possible increase in their prior valuation.
Alonso refuted reports from Argentina that Fernandez requested not to play against Luton, which Chelsea won 2-0, courtesy of goals from Danny Welbeck and an own goal from Hakeem Odoffin. Commenting on the situation ahead of a match against Brighton, Alonso emphasized the need for players in optimal condition. He stated, “We need to take everything into consideration, players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me, it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation.”
Alonso added that he and Fernandez had mutually agreed on the decision for the latter not to participate against Luton, acknowledging the player’s quality. When asked about the possibility of Chelsea returning to the transfer market should Fernandez leave, Alonso mentioned the need to “be ready always.”
Recent days have seen multiple player departures from Chelsea, with defender Mamadou Sarr loaned to Real Sociedad and Liam Delap sold to Nottingham Forest for £50 million. Alonso remarked on the club’s progress towards his squad planning, noting that while they are close to executing their vision, they must evaluate the situation in the final days of the transfer window.
Xabi Alonso said he wants players that “feel a desire to play” for Chelsea after Enzo Fernandez was left out of the squad for Thursday’s win over Luton.
It’s understood that there had been no formal contact from Manchester City over a proposed move for the Argentina international.
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Chelsea’s asking price of £120m, placed on Fernandez in May after he told the club he wanted to leave, is also understood no longer strictly to apply following the expiry of a deadline for offers imposed by the club on 13 August.
Xabi Alonso said he wants players with the desire to play for Chelsea (John Walton/PA)
Chelsea believe that market valuations have risen following a number of deals in the Premier League and in Europe struck for more than £100m. So far there have been three transfers for a fee exceeding that figure, set to rise again after Liverpool agreed a £120m deal with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola.
Should Fernandez be sold this late in the window, it would leave the club with very little to time to seek out a replacement and at risk themselves of being charged a premium by selling clubs, understood to be a further factor that could raise the price should City make their move.
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The door is not closed on the player’s exit. Chelsea are open to his departure before Tuesday’s deadline but only if it leaves them with options to strengthen, likely meaning they will demand more than the £120m asked earlier.
Alonso has dismissed reports in Argentina that Fernandez asked not to be involved in the game against Luton, which the Blues won 2-0 thanks to goals from Danny Welbeck on his home debut and an own-goal by defender Hakeem Odoffin.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game at home to Brighton, Alonso said: “We need the players that are in the best situation to play.
“We need to take everything into consideration, players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation.
Fernandez is the subject of interest from Manchester City (John Walton/PA)
“We talked, and we decided that (for Luton) it was better not to be part of the squad. He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that.”
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Asked whether Chelsea would re-enter the market before Tuesday should Fernandez leave, he said: “We have to be ready always.”
There has been a raft of departures from the club in recent days with defender Mamadou Sarr the latest to leave, joining Real Sociedad on loan. Liam Delap was sold to Nottingham Forest for £50m on Thursday.
Alonso, who previously said his squad size needed to be drastically cut, said: “We are quite close to the plan that we had. We will see where we finish, if it’s fully executed or there are some things still to be done.
“But overall the balance of what we have is going to be good. We need to see how the last few days develop.”
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