Xabi Alonso Confirms Enzo Fernandez Will Play in Chelsea's Carabao Cup Match Despite Manchester City Transfer Interest

Xabi Alonso, the Chelsea manager, expects Enzo Fernandez to take part in Thursday's Carabao Cup clash against Luton Town. This comes amid strong rumors that Manchester City is preparing a late £120 million bid to sign Fernandez before the transfer window closes.

Transfer Speculation Around Fernandez

Despite Chelsea reportedly setting an informal deadline earlier this summer, Manchester City remains keen on securing Fernandez's signature. The midfielder, valued at £120 million, has been heavily linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the transfer window.

Alonso confirmed Fernandez's involvement for the cup match, saying, "Yes, so we expect that he's involved. He has trained, he's training really well, he's a good professional and he will be involved." Fernandez appeared as a substitute during Chelsea's recent Premier League opener against Fulham.

Fernandez's Reception and Chelsea's Plans

Chelsea fans gave Fernandez a warm welcome when he entered the pitch at Craven Cottage, contrasting with earlier boos during a pre-season friendly because of his role in Argentina's World Cup semi-final against England.

When asked about keeping Fernandez long-term, Alonso responded cautiously: "We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop." It's expected that Manchester City will submit another offer before the September 1 deadline.

Possible Midfield Replacements If Fernandez Leaves

If Fernandez moves on, Chelsea may revisit interest in Alex Scott from Bournemouth. Although Bournemouth has rejected previous advances, there is speculation that a bid over £80 million, possibly near £90 million, could change their stance.

Alonso avoided committing to selling Fernandez based on landing a replacement, stating, "It is always about understanding the context, the situation, timings, circumstances, so there is not a defined rule for everything. You need to know how things have worked, what you want, what you want for the future, so I don't have the rules in stone. We need to assess each situation."

Looking Ahead for Chelsea and Fernandez

Chelsea's immediate focus remains on their Carabao Cup tie with Luton Town, where Fernandez is expected to play. Afterward, Alonso's squad will prepare for important Premier League matches. Meanwhile, Manchester City faces a deadline to formalize an acceptable bid before the transfer window shuts next week.

• Carabao Cup Fixture: Chelsea vs Luton Town, 27 Aug 2026, 20:30
• Premier League Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, 28 Aug 2026, 21:00