Alonso Expects Fernandez to Play Amid City Transfer Bid

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has revealed that he expects Enzo Fernandez to participate in the upcoming Carabao Cup clash against Luton Town, despite intense speculation linking the player to a late transfer bid from Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is reportedly eager to secure Fernandez’s services before the transfer window closes, with a rumoured £120 million bid being prepared. This follows a summer filled with speculation about the Argentine’s future, largely due to his significant value.

Despite the ongoing transfer chatter, Alonso is optimistic about Fernandez’s involvement in Thursday’s match. He stated, “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 had previously made an appearance off the bench during Chelsea’s Premier League opener against Fulham, where he received a warm reception from the fans.

Alonso acknowledged the need for the club to evaluate the situation as it unfolds, emphasizing that retaining Fernandez would be beneficial for Chelsea’s ambitions. He remarked, “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.” City’s intended offer represents a significant move in the transfer market, and Alonso noted, “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.”

Should Fernandez exit, reports suggest that Chelsea is eyeing Alex Scott from Bournemouth as a potential replacement. However, Bournemouth has so far rebuffed any interest, indicating they would require a bid exceeding £80 million, possibly closer to £90 million, for them to reconsider.

As Thursday’s Carabao Cup match approaches, Chelsea remains focused on their immediate goals, while Manchester City prepares to finalize a proposal that could sway Chelsea just before the transfer deadline on September 1.