Xabi Alonso has addressed journalists before Chelsea’s first top-flight fixture of the campaign.
The Blues boss met with media representatives at the club’s Surrey headquarters on Thursday to discuss matters ahead of the upcoming league opener.
Alonso revealed that Enzo Fernandez remains part of his plans for the trip to west London, with the 25-year-old South American midfielder expected to feature in Monday evening’s encounter with Fulham at Craven Cottage despite ongoing speculation surrounding his future at Stamford Bridge.
During the press briefing, Alonso confirmed that Fernandez would undertake standard preparations alongside his teammates for the inaugural league match of the season.
Chelsea’s Spanish head coach stated that Fernandez continues to be contracted to the club, describing him as an exceptional talent who has been training to a high standard. Alonso expressed satisfaction with the player’s application and readiness for the Monday fixture.
According to football.london’s sources, Fernandez communicated his desire to depart Stamford Bridge to senior figures at the club towards the end of May. The Argentine international had previously suggested he had not ruled out a potential move to Real Madrid, acknowledging his aspiration to reside in the Spanish capital at some point in his life.
In July, the Spanish giants formally ended their pursuit by releasing a public declaration confirming they had neither pursued nor intended to pursue a transfer. With Chelsea eager to conclude the majority of their transfer activity before the season commenced, the club reportedly established a cutoff point for any interested parties to meet the £120m valuation.
The London side received no formal proposals for the South American playmaker prior to last Friday’s 5pm deadline, despite Enzo Maresca’s reported interest in working with him again at the Etihad Stadium. While Manchester City are believed to maintain their interest in the player, Fernandez has continued his regular training schedule with the senior squad at Cobham and will be eligible for selection on Monday evening.
Regarding his own competitive debut in the Chelsea technical area, Alonso expressed optimism about the team’s readiness, noting that the pre-season preparations had been thorough and that there exists a strong appetite and determination to commence the campaign positively.
When discussing seasonal objectives, Alonso indicated that the collective aim is to achieve the highest possible position, with final standings to be assessed in May. He emphasised the importance of maintaining drive and fostering a positive team environment.
Turning to Monday’s opponents, who also appointed a new manager in Alvaro Arbeloa during the close season, Alonso remarked that football demands the right mental approach, competitive spirit, and the ability to navigate challenging phases within matches. He anticipated an engaging contest to mark the beginning of the season.
Following their previous campaign, during which Chelsea missed out on qualification for all three UEFA club competitions, Alonso acknowledged that a reduced fixture schedule provides additional preparation time for each match. He stated that this time must be utilised effectively, noting that while the situation was not their preference, it represents the current reality.