**Chelsea Boss Alonso Gives Little Away on Fernandez's Future Amid Transfer Speculation**
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso addressed the media ahead of the club's Premier League opener against Fulham, focusing on midfielder Enzo Fernandez's preparation for the match while navigating the swirling transfer rumors surrounding the Argentine player.
Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a then-British record fee of £106.8 million, has been the subject of intense speculation, particularly regarding interest from Manchester City. Reports in British media have indicated that Chelsea has set a deadline of August 14 for City to meet their valuation of £120 million for the midfielder.
During the press conference, Alonso confirmed that Fernandez has been training well and is fully integrated into the team. "Enzo is a Chelsea player. He’s a top, top player," Alonso stated. "He’s training really well since he started 10 days ago with the team, very integrated. We’re happy with him and he’s getting ready for Monday."
Despite the positive remarks about Fernandez's training and attitude, Alonso refrained from confirming whether the World Cup winner had expressed a desire to remain at Chelsea. Instead, he emphasized the player's commitment to preparing for the upcoming match against Fulham. "He’s trying his best to prepare for the kick-off of the Premier League," Alonso added.
Alonso, who took over the managerial role at Chelsea after a challenging season that saw the club finish 10th in the Premier League without any trophies, is focused on rebuilding the team. His first match in charge will see him face Fulham's new manager, Alvaro Arbeloa, a former teammate and friend from their time at Real Madrid. Alonso acknowledged their past relationship but made it clear that once the match begins, the focus will solely be on the competition. "We can have a relation but once we’re on the pitch, no friends, no past, just the 90 minutes we are fighting for each club," he stated.
As the transfer window approaches its conclusion on September 1, the future of Enzo Fernandez remains uncertain, with Chelsea fans eagerly awaiting further developments.