Xabi Alonso Expects Enzo Fernandez to Feature in Carabao Cup

Xabi Alonso expects Enzo Fernandez to be part of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Luton on Thursday night, even as Manchester City circle with growing intent.

The midfielder’s future hangs over Stamford Bridge, but Alonso is planning as if he will still be available.

“Yes, so we expect that he's involved,” the Chelsea head coach said when asked if Fernandez would feature in the second-round clash. “He has trained, he's training really well, he's a good professional and he will be involved.”

The backdrop is anything but calm. City are widely expected to move before the transfer window closes on September 1, with their interest driven by head coach Enzo Maresca, who worked with Fernandez during his time in charge at Chelsea.

Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday underlined the tension. When Fernandez came off the bench, sections of the away end booed him while others responded with applause, a split that laid bare the fanbase’s uncertainty over a player who has made no secret of his desire to leave but continues to train as normal.

Alonso, though, is trying to keep the focus on the pitch.

“We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop,” he said when pressed on whether he wants to keep the Argentina international.

Chelsea’s stance on a potential sale remains deliberately vague. Alonso refused to be pinned down on whether Fernandez would only be allowed to go if a replacement is lined up.

“It is always about understanding the context, the situation, timings, circumstances, so there is not a defined rule for everything,” the Spaniard explained. “You need to know how things have worked, what you want, what you want for the future, so I don't have the rules in stone. We need to assess each situation.”

For now, that situation has Fernandez preparing for Luton, City weighing up their move, and Chelsea trying to squeeze performances out of a player whose next decisive pass might be his last in blue.