Chelsea could U-turn on Enzo Fernandez Man City transfer as Xabi Alonso speaks out
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Enzo Fernandez was left out of Chelsea's squad for the win over Brighton. (Image: Getty)Xabi Alonso said Chelsea are preparing for “all scenarios” regarding Enzo Fernandez’s future, even the possibility of U-turning on a transfer to Manchester City, after the midfielder was left out again for the 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues lost control of a match they seemingly had won inside 30 minutes, a scintillating attacking display that had seen them go three goals up disintegrating into chaos in the absence of their World Cup winner in midfield.Manchester City’s interest in Fernandez and the player’s desire to leave before Tuesday’s transfer deadline meant that for the second game in a row Alonso opted not to involve him and, asked whether the Argentinian had played his last game for Chelsea, he said: “We’ll see. I’m sure that, whatever happens, from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete in the Premier League.”The question remains whether a title challenge is plausible while Chelsea’s defence remains this obliging.It had been another display of electrifying attacking football that should have had the game finished, goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro opening up a 3-0 lead that was then almost dismantled by Malick Yalcouye and a Pedro own goal.Chelsea teetered on the edge of collapse and a Brighton equaliser looked inevitable.
He was not at fault for Brighton’s goals but was unable to prevent the team’s run of games without a league clean sheet stretching to 18.Xabi Alonso said Chelsea are preparing for all scenarios regarding Enzo Fernandez’s future (Image: PA)Robert Sanchez, whose blunders in Monday’s win over Fulham prompted the club to go after Martinez, was not in squad, with his future at the club now in serious doubt.The goalkeeper position had been seen as the team’s final weak link following a revamp of the squad during the transfer window, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher saying on Monday it was “impossible” for Chelsea to win the title with Sanchez in the team.“With Emi, a World Cup winner, 34 years old, experience all around,” said Alonso. He’s just been in the building for 48 hours.“Day by day we will feel his presence because he has this charisma, this aura, to influence and have a very positive connection with the rest of team.”Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler revealed his frustration after his team fell short of pegging Chelsea back.“The frustrating part is that we controlled the game, scored three goals away and had lot of chances but we lost,” he said.“We didn’t find the right balance between controlling the game and being good defensively.