{"id":4566,"date":"2026-09-14T08:45:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T08:45:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4566"},"modified":"2026-09-14T08:45:56","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T08:45:56","slug":"what-xabi-alonso-will-be-thinking-after-enzo-fernandezs-performance-vs-manchester-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=4566","title":{"rendered":"What Xabi Alonso will be thinking after Enzo Fernandez’s performance vs Manchester United"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Xabi Alonso did not get his wish in the end, but he wanted Enzo Fernandez to stay at Chelsea.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On more than one occasion, Alonso<\/a> made it clear to the media that the midfielder was in his plans. Unfortunately for him, from Chelsea\u2019s<\/a> perspective, Fernandez\u2019s position in the squad became untenable.<\/p>\n

\n

Fernandez<\/a> has now got his move to Manchester City and helped his new side defeat Manchester United 1-0 in Sunday\u2019s derby.<\/p>\n

If Alonso was watching, it would have reminded the 44-year-old of why he was so desperate to keep hold of his former player.<\/p>\n

\n
\"Xabi<\/div>
Photo by Catherine Ivill \u2013 AMA\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Xabi Alonso will be wishing he still had Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea<\/h2>\n

Fernandez did a lot of good stuff for City in both attack and defence. For example, according to Sofascore<\/a>, the Argentine created one big chance and made one key pass.<\/p>\n

Fernandez also took two shots, with one of them hitting the woodwork. What Enzo Maresca would have really appreciated, though, was what he did without the ball.<\/p>\n

In total, Fernandez made six defensive contributions, including three interceptions. On the day, the former Chelsea star read the game quite well.<\/p>\n

He also won two out of three aerial duels and competed in 14 ground duels, winning six of them. Ultimately, Fernandez really battled, which is what you want to see in a derby game.<\/p>\n

Looking at the dire state of Chelsea\u2019s midfield right now, Alonso would have been wishing he still had all of that while watching the match.<\/p>\n

Because of Moises Caicedo\u2019s injury and the club\u2019s failure to sign a replacement for Fernandez, Alonso has been using Reece James, Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia in the engine room. Lavia is the only natural midfielder out of the trio.<\/p>\n

It is hardly a shock that some Chelsea fans are now crying that the team miss Fernandez<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hopefully Caicedo and Jordan Henderson returning will soften the blow. Chelsea players have taken to Henderson<\/a> following his arrival from Brentford, but he is also out injured and has not played a minute of football for his new side yet.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
<\/svg><\/p>\n
Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n

Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"\/ Add to Preferred Sources<\/span> <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n