Xabi Alonso refused to be drawn into Chelsea’s failed pursuit of Lamine Camara during his pre-match press conference on Friday. The Spaniard was asked to express his disappointment at the deal falling through on deadline day, as his side travel to Arsenal in two days’ time.
Chelsea had agreed a €55m deal with AS Monaco for the Senegal international, who had passed a medical and agreed personal terms before the Ligue 1 club called time on the move. That abrupt turn of events meant the West Londoners were denied the intended replacement for Enzo Fernandez, who was confirmed as a Manchester City player on the same night.
The former Real Madrid boss also pointed to the quality of his current squad instead of dwelling on the failed transfer. When asked if he was disappointed the club had not managed to get the deal over the line, Alonso said:
We are prepared and happy with the squad we have, the competition in positions. There’s a good balance of players in different stages.
That equanimity comes after a summer of lavish spending at Stamford Bridge, with the reported outlay on new recruits exceeding £349 million. Camara, 22, joined Monaco from Metz for €15 million in July 2024 and has played 55 times for the principality club since then.
Regarding all of Chelsea’s summer business, the Basque coach said:
I think that we can be very happy with the whole transfer window. We started talking in late May, early June, we have accomplished many things.
Xabi Alonso Explains Chelsea’s Decision to Sanction Enzo Fernandez Sale
The Argentina midfielder signed for Manchester City on deadline day in a deal understood to be around £125m. Fernandez has been agitating for a departure all window and had his sights set on a reunion with Enzo Maresca after Real Madrid decided against pursuing him.
Alonso said it had been a collective decision and he did not regret losing such a powerful presence:
We take all the decisions together. We work together with everything, big decisions, small ones. The last goal is ultimately to be the best for the team. We want to build a good spirit, a good team.
Chelsea are fourth on six points and visit second-placed Arsenal on Sunday with Moises Caicedo’s availability unresolved after he limped off against Brighton. The final decision on the Ecuador international will be made after Saturday’s last training session, Alonso said.