Xabi Alonso Confirms Enzo Fernandez is Staying at Chelsea

Xabi Alonso insists Enzo Fernandez is going nowhere – at least for now.

The Chelsea head coach says the midfielder has shown a “really good attitude” since returning to the squad, despite weeks of noise around his future and Manchester City circling.

Deadline passed, door closed

Back in late May, Chelsea struck a clear agreement with Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore: if anyone met the £120m price, the Argentina international could leave. But there was a catch – any bid had to land by 14 August.

That date came and went last Friday. No formal offer arrived.

Chelsea’s response was firm. With the deadline missed, the club have informed Fernandez’s camp he is not for sale in this window. From their side, the door is shut.

City, managed by Enzo Maresca – the man who coached Fernandez at Stamford Bridge – have not been discouraged. They remain keen and believe Chelsea are still open to doing business, but the public stance from west London is now unambiguous.

Alonso backs his midfielder

Alonso, preparing his side for Monday’s Premier League opener away at Fulham, was asked directly on Thursday whether Fernandez would still be a Chelsea player when the transfer window closes on 1 September.

“Enzo is a Chelsea player. We are happy with him and he's getting ready for Monday,” he said.

The 25-year-old only rejoined the group after the World Cup and, according to Alonso, has wasted no time settling back in. The coach described him as having “integrated really well” and “training really well”.

“I see him with a really good attitude and that's what we want,” Alonso added.

For now, the speculation rumbles on outside. Inside Cobham, Alonso’s message is simple: Fernandez is focused, fit, and in his plans for the start of the season.