Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso expressed his desire to retain Enzo Fernández at the club, amidst speculation of the midfielder’s potential departure this summer.
During his inaugural press conference since his appointment as Chelsea manager in May, the 44-year-old articulated his enthusiasm and objectives for the club.
Recent reports from ESPN indicated that Fernández’s agent confirmed the midfielder is considering exit options this summer, although Real Madrid has denied any pursuit of the Argentina international.
When asked if he had spoken to the player, Alonso replied: “Yes, we have had a discussion. However, as you can imagine, what we talked about will remain confidential.”
When pressed on whether he wishes to keep Fernández at Chelsea, Alonso affirmed, “Yes.”
Fernández recently scored the decisive goal in Argentina‘s thrilling 3-2 win over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16, helping his team secure an extra-time victory against Switzerland and advancing them to a semifinal clash with England.
Sources have informed ESPN that Chelsea expects Fernández to join preseason training as scheduled after returning from a holiday following Argentina’s World Cup run.
Alonso discussed his aspirations for the club and stressed the significance of playing in European competitions next season.
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“Achieving that is a goal, but to reach it, we need to execute many things correctly,” stated Alonso. “Being part of that process, defining how we play, our identity on the pitch, is my responsibility, and I’m genuinely excited about it. Without a doubt, we aim to be there.”
“After last season, we’re starting from scratch… with new faces in the coaching staff and management.”
“However, the enthusiasm for our plans is palpable. You can feel the positive energy and excitement within the team.”