The Chelsea faithful will breathe a collective sigh of relief as new manager Xabi Alonso makes it crystal clear that Enzo Fernandez is very much part of his plans at Stamford Bridge. In a bold statement of intent, Alonso has confirmed he's spoken with the 25-year-old midfielder, who's currently preparing to face England in the World Cup semi-finals.
Fernandez had been touted for a potential move to Real Madrid, but it seems that ship may have sailed – or at least, it hasn't set sail yet. The Spanish giants denied any interest in the Argentine star, leaving Fernandez with no clear escape route and still firmly in Chelsea's clutches. When asked directly if he wanted to keep Fernandez on board, Alonso gave a resounding "yes", adding that their conversation would remain under wraps – for now.
Alonso's first big press conference at Stamford Bridge was a masterclass in diplomacy and vision. He outlined his plans to get the club back on track, starting with a pre-season tour of Australia and Asia – where Enzo will be joining the squad after his World Cup duties. It's a timely boost for Chelsea fans, who'll be eager to see their team make a strong impression Down Under.
But not everyone is getting a free pass from Alonso. Winger Alejandro Garnacho remains frozen out of first-team training, with Italian club Roma reportedly in the frame to prise him away. The new manager confirmed an agreement for Garnacho to stay away from the squad while he explores his options – but it's clear that he won't be parting ways without a fight.
As Alonso looks ahead to his inaugural season, one thing is clear: qualifying for European competition will be top of his agenda. He's expressed gratitude to the club's sporting directors and owners for putting their faith in him, and is eager to get to work on building a team that can succeed at the highest level.
With Fernandez firmly on board and a clear plan in place, Chelsea fans can't help but feel a sense of optimism about what's to come. Will Alonso be able to steer the club back towards European glory? Only time will tell – but for now, it's full steam ahead for the Blues!