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Chelsea transfer news: Xabi Alonso faces nightmare scenario with Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez

Updated: 27 May 2026 10:49 BST | 5 min read

Xabi Alonso, Enzo Fernandez, Anthony Gordon, Chelsea

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are both in a position to ‘possibly’ leave Chelsea this summer in what would represent a transfer nightmare for incoming manager Xabi Alonso.

Chelsea missed out on European qualification this season after a disastrous campaign that saw them finish 10th in the Premier League, leaving Alonso to come in and pick up the pieces.

The new manager faces a big job, and stars such as Palmer and Fernandez are no doubt central to his plans. However, it has been revealed that there is the possibility that both leave Stamford Bridge in what promises to be a pivotal summer for the West London side.

Cole Palmer to Man City a ‘possibility’

Palmer’s departure is something that has been discussed for several months, yet seemed to have been put on the backburner in recent times.

A move to Manchester City remains a ‘possibility’, TalkSport reports. It claims that the Etihad side remain interested in the playmaker, who has failed to find his best form this season amid claims that he is homesick for the north of England.

The report, however, adds: “Chelsea have no plans to sell Palmer this summer.”

Cole Palmer (left) with Joao Pedro

Enzo Fernandez transfer twist

Enzo Fernandez finds himself in a similar position. The midfielder has publicly fanned transfer rumours linking him with Real Madrid, notably claiming that he would like to live in the Spanish capital amid heavy interest from Los Blancos.

While Madrid’s interest in the World Cup winner appears to have stalled while the Bernabeu side moves to finalise Jose Mourinho as their new manager amid a snap presidential election on 7 June, Man City are seeking to take advantage of the delay.

“Enzo Fernandez leaving Chelsea and a possible move to Manchester City remain a concrete topic,” transfer insider Florian Plettenberg claims.

“Enzo Maresca is still desperate to sign him. He sees him as a type of player City currently do not have in the squad.

“Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also have him on their shortlist.”

Enzo Fernandez in Madrid

There may be no quick resolution in the Enzo case, with agent Javier Pastore commenting in April that he will hold talks with Chelsea after the World Cup.

“Our plan after the World Cup is to meet with Chelsea again and, if there is no agreement, to explore other options,” he said.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, reports that City are “not looking to pursue a deal” for Fernandez.

Who else could leave Chelsea?

Beyond this pair, Chelsea are also dogged by other major players being linked with moves away from the club.

In particular, Barcelona sporting director Deco has admitted that he has held talks with Joao Pedro’s representatives over a potential summer deal for the Brazil striker. He added that there have been no talks with Chelsea yet, although it has already been reported that the Blues would even turn down a world-record bid for the former Brighton forward.

Marc Cucurella is another who is subject to major transfer rumours as the summer window approaches. Like Joao Pedro, he has been associated with a move to Barca while Atletico Madrid are also interested in the Spain defender.

Verdict: Enzo is the likeliest Chelsea star to leave

Of this star quartet, Enzo Fernandez looks the likeliest to be off. The Argentine has been agitating publicly for a move for quite some time, and it may very well be that Alonso decides that he does not need a discontent figure behind the scenes. He has likely already had enough of such attitudes during his stint at Real Madrid.

With the Stamford Bridge side likely to require at least one sizeable sell to help balance their books, Enzo is the likeliest candidate.

Barca, meanwhile, are still not well positioned to make big-money moves, while the Blues’ stance on Joao Pedro and Palmer seems absolutely firm.