​Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he has spoken with Enzo Fernandez since Chelsea’s new manager publicly denied any Real Madrid interest in the Chelsea midfielder. Fernandez, who had previously been linked with a move away, is currently with Argentina at the World Cup and has not yet met face-to-face with the Blues’ new boss. Real Madrid issued a standout statement in April, effectively shutting down reports that Fernandez might be headed to the Santiago Bernabeu, despite the 25-year-old’s expressed interest in Madrid amid uncertainty about his future at Chelsea. That interest had previously seen Chelsea suspend him for two games under then-interim manager Liam Rosenior.
As Chelsea look ahead to the next chapter of their project under Xabi Alonso, the Spaniard revealed that contact has indeed been established with Fernandez, though he stressed that what was discussed remains private. Speaking at his unveiling press conference at Stamford Bridge—the first since Mauricio Pochettino’s era—Alonso confirmed, “Yes, we have spoken, but as you can understand, what we have spoken remains private. But yes, we have spoken.” When asked whether he would like to keep Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge for the coming season, Alonso replied unequivocally, “Yes.”
The transfer landscape around Chelsea has continued to evolve. The club had already sanctioned the sale of left-back Marc Cucurella to Real Madrid, a move that saw Alonso depart Chelsea in January. Real Madrid activated an initial fee of £47.4 million, with the Blues later confirming the sale of midfielder Andrey Santos to Manchester United for £48 million on Monday. In the current market climate, another potential exit could be on the horizon, as Fernandez’s compatriot Alejandro Garnacho did not attend Alonso’s first training session with the squad.
Alonso also indicated that Garnacho is attracting interest from other clubs, with the Chelsea manager noting that discussions with the club’s sporting directors have revealed outside interest in the young winger. “The situation is that we have spoken with the sporting directors, and there’s interest for him from other clubs,” Alonso stated. “Let’s see how it develops, but hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for all the parties.” The manager’s comments point to a dynamic transfer window where players’ futures can swing on fluctuating interest from rival clubs and the strategic needs of Chelsea’s long-term project.
On the squad-building front, Nicolas Jackson is back from his loan spell at Bayern Munich and will be offered a chance to prove his worth as Alonso continues to assess the roster. “He’s joining the tour that we are starting in Asia, and we’re looking forward to starting with Nico at that time,” Alonso added, signaling that Jackson will be integrated into pre-season plans as Chelsea prepare for the next phase of competition.
For fans and followers of Chelsea’s ongoing transfer saga, Alonso’s early statements suggest a balanced approach: a willingness to keep crucial talents like Enzo Fernandez while also recognizing that the market can pull players in different directions. The manager’s private discussions with Fernandez reflect a foundation of trust and a mutual desire to pursue the club’s ambitions, whether that involves Fernandez remaining in west London this season or exploring opportunities elsewhere in the future. As Chelsea map out their summer strategy, attention will stay on how Alonso navigates negotiations, potential departures, and the continued integration of new signings into a competitive Chelsea side aiming to reclaim a place among the Premier League’s elite.