Xabi Alonso explains Enzo Fernandez’s absence from Chelsea squad amid Man City interest

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Xabi Alonso said it was “decided” that Enzo Fernandez would not be in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton Town in the Carabao Cup, despite saying the previous day that he expected the midfielder to be involved. Fernandez is not in Chelsea’s squad to face Luton (Getty)The fee Chelsea would consider to sell Fernandez is around £120m and the transfer deadline closes next Tuesday.

Alonso named a strong team to face Luton, selecting both Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers, both Fernandez was not in the squad depsite the new Chelsea manager saying he expected him to be included on Wednesday. “We assessed situations, individual and collective and we have decided he is not in the squad for today,” Alonso told Sky Sports before facing Luton, which is Chelsea’s first competitive home game of the new season.

Asked whether he would like to keep Fernandez before the Luton match, Alonso added: “We want to have the best team possible. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop.”The Independent understands Chelsea are preparing to go back to Bournemouth for midfielder Alex Scott.