Enzo Fernandez's future at Stamford Bridge remains up in the air this summer with the Chelsea midfielder pushing for a move to Real Madrid
07:00, 23 Jun 2026
Xabi Alonso celebrates
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MAINZ, GERMANY - MAY 17: Xabi Alonso is celebrated by the fans during the Bundesliga match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at MEWA Arena on May 17, 2025 in Mainz, Germany. (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)(Image: Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen )
The countdown to Xabi Alonso beginning work at Chelsea is on. The Spaniard will officially take charge of the Blues on July 1 - a little over a week's time - as he gets to work at Cobham.
Alonso's depleted squad will shortly after follow him into the building to meet their new manager and start working under him, while the 44-year-old will have to wait for a large chunk of his players to return from the ongoing World Cup in North America.
Of those at the World Cup includes Enzo Fernandez, who has made it clear to Chelsea that he wishes to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old midfielder wants to move to Real Madrid, who are strongly interested; though the Blues have slapped a hefty £120million price tag on Fernandez's head.
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This article is part of a mini-series on football.london. With eight days to go until Alonso officially begins his job role, we look at Chelsea's No.8. With seven days remaining, we will look at the club's No.7 (I'll let you figure out who that is) and so on. Here is Bobby Vincent with his take on the Fernandez saga:
Bobby Vincent on Enzo Fernandez
I remember writing after Fernandez scored Chelsea's winner in the FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United in late-April that the Blues should do everything in their power to keep hold of the Argentina international. A leader, a winner and a proven goal threat - three attributes that make him a top-class midfielder. Three attributes that should make Chelsea want to keep him.
However, situations change and so has my opinion. When I wrote the aforementioned article, I of course knew of Fernandez's frustrations. We all did - he made that abundantly clear by delivering a bombshell interview during the March international break. What I also thought, though, was that a big-name managerial appointment could sway the likes of Fernandez and his fellow rebel Marc Cucurella.
How wrong was I?
This image has been digitally altered.) Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 11, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas
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Enzo Fernandez could leave Chelsea this summer(Image: Photo by Florencia Tan Jun - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Cucurella has gone and I do think Fernandez will eventually follow suit. Ironically, I think they will be teammates at Real Madrid next season.
From Chelsea's perspective, sources close to the club insist they are not desperate to sell Fernandez and are not actively looking to do so. There is, however, an acceptance that he wishes to move on and the Blues will not stand in his way if they get their £120m.
Right now, I think that is best for all parties. Alonso will be wanting to arrive with a hungry, determined and thriving dressing room. The incoming Chelsea manager will not want any unhappiness around the training ground and we all know players can act up if they are being kept somewhere they don't want to be. That is not to say Fernandez would do that, but why take the risk?
If the west Londoners got £120m, that is a seriously good fee. It's all about how they spend it, though, to replace Fernandez. It's fair to say BlueCo's recruitment has not been perfect since the ownership bought the club in 2022 and fans will be hoping they have learned their lesson this summer.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates
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Enzo Fernandez wants to leave Chelsea this summer(Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
Alonso, of course, will be given more power than his predecessors when it comes to the club's transfer business this summer. BlueCo have altered their recruitment strategy slightly with the club's sporting leadership team, working in tandem with Alonso, on the hunt for more 'ready-made' players rather than bringing in inexperienced, young footballers.
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