Enzo Fernandez is pushing to join Manchester City before the transfer window closes, with Chelsea demanding £120million for the 25-year-old as Monday's 11pm deadline edges closer
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Xabi Alonso manager/head coach of Chelsea instructs Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso left Enzo Fernandez out of his squad(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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But Chelsea want £120m for the midfielder, who's keen to reunite with former Blues manager Enzo Maresca at the Etihad. Fernandez came on as a second-half substitute during Monday's 3-2 win away to Fulham, but he was left out of the squad altogether when Chelsea beat Luton 2-0 in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
Alonso confirmed post-match that it was his call to omit Fernandez before shedding light on the decision. "We need the players that are in the best situation to play," the Chelsea boss affirmed.
"We need to take everything into consideration - players that are in a good moment, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me, it is very important they feel this desire to play and to have good preparation."
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Alonso, who labelled Fernandez a 'top player', went on to reveal: "We talked and we decided for tonight it was better not to be part of the squad."
As far as other business is concerned, Alonso said that Chelsea are 'quite close' to reaching the amount of players that he wants in his squad. Nicolas Jackson is poised to complete a move to Aston Villa in a deal worth up to £65m, while Bournemouth star Alex Scott is Alonso's ideal replacement for Fernandez.
"We are quite close to the plan we had," the Spaniard added. "We will see where we finish, if it's fully executed or there are things still to be done or things we couldn't do. But for sure I think overall the balance of what we have is going to be good.
"We have to see how the last few days develop. But so far the team is coming together. It is a process that will take time. We are in a good position, with a few more days to see."
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea controls the ball during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Manchester City have bid £100million for Enzo Fernandez(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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One of Chelsea's summer signings, Danny Welbeck, opened his account against Luton. His goal helped the Blues book a third-round tie at home to Leeds.
"He has many qualities," Alonso said of Welbeck. "As a player you see how intelligent he is. He links well. Out of the box he is able to combine. In the box he is very intelligent to be in the right place - we saw that tonight.
"On a daily basis, he is a great influence for the rest of the players. He trains really hard. He is raising all the standards in training and that is something we think is very important."
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