Chelsea’s Midfield Conundrum: Enzo Fernández’s Future in Limbo

Xabi Alonso, the manager of Chelsea, has refused to guarantee that the club will hold firm if Manchester City try to sign Enzo Fernández, a 25-year-old Argentina midfielder who has been linked with a £120m move to the Etihad Stadium.

Chelsea’s unofficial deadline for clubs to make written bids of £120m for Fernández has already passed, but the situation remains fluid. City, who are also tracking Roma’s Manu Koné, have targeted Fernández as part of their midfield rebuild after Rodri’s move to Barcelona and are weighing up whether to make a move before the transfer window shuts.

Chelsea, who have identified Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton as possible replacements for Fernández, know that the situation is complex. The player has made no secret of his desire to leave the club, and Alonso was noncommittal when asked if he would still be part of his squad at the end of the transfer window.

“Enzo is a Chelsea player,” Alonso said. “He’s a top player. He’s training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team. Very integrated, and we are happy with him. He’s getting ready for Monday.”

Chelsea open their Premier League campaign with a trip to Fulham on Monday night, and Fernández is expected to be in the squad. However, Alonso dodged another question about whether the £106.7m midfielder has told him he wants to stay.

“He’s training really well. I see him with a good attitude. That’s what we want. Everyone is trying their best to prepare for the kick off of the Premier League,” Alonso said.

Chelsea will want a new midfielder if Fernández goes. They are huge admirers of Scott but have already failed with one offer for the 22-year-old, and have been told that Bournemouth will resist a sale this summer. Wharton is an alternative, although City have had an offer for the England midfielder rejected by Palace.

Alonso is also looking to trim down his squad before the window shuts. Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap, and Marc Guiu have fallen down the pecking order up front and are likely to leave. Everton, Leeds, Ipswich, and Nottingham Forest are tracking Delap, while Chelsea also have interest in Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto. Palace want to bolster their defence by signing Axel Disasi on loan.

In the meantime, Fernández’s future remains uncertain. While Chelsea have not given up on him, the lure of Manchester City and a potential £120m move is a significant one. Only time will tell if Fernández will stay at Chelsea or make the move to the Etihad Stadium.