Chelsea\u2019s preparations for the new season have begun with one major question hanging over their midfield. Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez\u2019s future has been the subject of growing speculation, with the Argentina international linked with a possible move away from west London.<\/p>\n However, Alonso\u2019s first public comments on the situation suggest he sees the midfielder as an important part of his plans rather than someone Chelsea should actively look to sell.<\/p>\n According to Fabrizio Romano, Alonso confirmed that he has already spoken directly with Fern\u00e1ndez.<\/p>\n The Chelsea manager refused to reveal the contents of their conversation, explaining that it would remain private, but gave a clear response when asked whether he wanted to keep the player:<\/p>\n \u201cYes, yes.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n That stance was also reported by Reuters, which noted that Alonso wants Fern\u00e1ndez to remain as he attempts to establish a stronger identity and restore stability following Chelsea\u2019s tenth-place finish last season.<\/p>\n The midfielder is currently away with Argentina at the World Cup, meaning more detailed discussions over his future may have to wait until his international commitments are completed.<\/p>\n \t\t\t
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Transfer rumours have continued despite Alonso\u2019s position.<\/p>\n talkSPORT reports that Fern\u00e1ndez has attracted interest from Real Madrid, although Chelsea would be in a powerful negotiating position because of his long-term contract and major valuation.<\/p>\n Alonso is right to push for Fern\u00e1ndez to stay. Chelsea already face another summer of squad changes, and losing one of their most experienced midfielders would create an unnecessary problem.<\/p>\n Fern\u00e1ndez\u2019s passing range, movement and ability to influence games from deeper areas could suit Alonso\u2019s possession-focused approach. A more structured system may also help Chelsea get greater consistency from him.<\/p>\n Unless an exceptional offer arrives, keeping Fern\u00e1ndez should be the straightforward decision.<\/p>\n Alonso needs leaders and technically gifted players around whom he can build, and the Argentine remains one of the strongest candidates to become central to Chelsea\u2019s new project.<\/p>\n Xabi Alonso gets his wish as Chelsea prepare improved offer to sign wide man <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chelsea\u2019s preparations for the new season have begun with one major question hanging over their…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17162,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17161"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17161\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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After a disappointing campaign and another change in the dugout, Xabi Alonso must decide which senior players will form the foundation of his Stamford Bridge rebuild.<\/p>\nAlonso makes his position clear on Fern\u00e1ndez<\/h2>\n
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-4-1-190x114.jpg.webp)
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-2-190x114.jpg.webp)
<\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Chelsea](\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-73.jpg\")
<\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n<\/section>\nKeeping the midfielder makes sense for Chelsea<\/h2>\n