Alonso says he wants Fernandez to stay at Chelsea

Chelsea’s newly appointed manager, Xabi Alonso, has confirmed his desire to retain midfielder Enzo Fernandez, providing clarity on a situation that has cast a long shadow over the club’s summer preparations. Alonso, who officially assumed his duties on 1 July 2026, addressed the matter during his first press conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday, 13 July 2026.

The status of the Argentina international has been a primary concern for the west London club for months. Fernandez, currently representing his country at the World Cup, previously drew attention to his desire to live in Madrid, a move that resulted in an internal two-game suspension earlier this year. While speculation linked him consistently with a move to Real Madrid, the Spanish club released an official statement earlier this month categorically denying any interest in the player. With no other concrete offers meeting Chelsea’s reported £120million valuation, Alonso’s intervention signals a firm intent to reintegrate the midfielder into his squad.

Media additions

When asked directly if he wanted the player to remain at the club, Alonso replied, “Yes.” While he acknowledged that he had held private discussions with Fernandez, he declined to share specific details of the conversation.

Squad Movements and Pre-Season Outlook

Alonso’s arrival has prompted a series of strategic decisions regarding the composition of the Chelsea squad. As the club looks to improve on last season's 10th-place finish, several players have been marked for departure while others are being prepared for central roles.

• Alejandro Garnacho: The winger is not training with the squad as he seeks a permanent exit. Alonso confirmed discussions are ongoing with sporting directors to find a resolution.
• Nicolas Jackson: After spending the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich, the striker will join the team for the pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, which commences on 25 July 2026.
• Cole Palmer: Having been excluded from the England World Cup squad, Palmer has been training at Cobham. Alonso praised him as a special talent and confirmed he is expected to be a key player in the attacking setup for the upcoming campaign.
• Andrey Santos: As reported by Newsday and other outlets, the midfielder has completed a move to Manchester United.

Alonso emphasized the need for a shift in team culture, stating that he intends to build a group defined by hunger and passion. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his tenure, Alonso expressed optimism about the direction of the club under the current ownership, stressing that his goal is to establish a mentality capable of competing for silverware. What I am sure is that we have the ambition to want to win a lot of games, to be competitive, Alonso said via Newsday. He noted that while reaching the top of the Premier League remains the ultimate target, the process begins with consistency in the daily approach to training and match play.

What to Watch Next

As the club prepares for the new season, Alonso maintains that his squad planning is aligned with the sporting directors. As BBC Sport highlighted, the manager has arrived at a club that has seen significant turnover in the dugout, yet his clear public backing of Fernandez may serve as the first step in stabilizing the dressing room as the club looks toward the next Premier League campaign.