{"id":886,"date":"2026-08-11T08:12:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:12:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=886"},"modified":"2026-08-11T08:12:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T08:12:17","slug":"what-xabi-alonso-must-do-with-enzo-fernandez-after-chelsea-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=886","title":{"rendered":"What Xabi Alonso must do with Enzo Fernandez after Chelsea update"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Despite his desire to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, Enzo Fernandez is still at Chelsea.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last month, agent Javier Pastore confirmed that Fernandez is looking to depart<\/a> west London during this transfer window.<\/p>\n

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However, no one has come forward with a bid yet, which means Xabi Alonso<\/a> could have a huge decision to make when Chelsea<\/a> take on Fulham in their Premier League<\/a> opener.<\/p>\n

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Chelsea\u2019s pre-season tour is over! What are your early thoughts on Xabi Alonso as manager? \ud83d\udcad<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Xabi Alonso must use Enzo Fernandez against Fulham with Chelsea midfielder set to return to training<\/h2>\n

With nothing on the table, Fernandez<\/a> is set to report for Chelsea training this week following his participation at the World Cup<\/a>, according to football.london<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If the midfielder is still at the club by the time Chelsea travel to Craven Cottage, Alonso will have to decide whether to include an unsettled player in his matchday squad or leave him out.<\/p>\n

Understandably, some Chelsea supporters are done with him. They do not want to see Fernandez put on a blue shirt ever again.<\/p>\n

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However, for the time being, Fernandez is still one of the Blues\u2019 best players, and a west London derby away at Fulham will not be easy. Therefore, Fernandez should still be used in some capacity.<\/p>\n

Because the 25-year-old is only returning to Cobham<\/a> this week, he may not be ready to start. But what an option he could be from off the bench.<\/p>\n

As Fernandez showed last season, he is capable of scoring all sorts of goals for Chelsea: tap-ins, long shots, headers and penalties. Hopefully it does not happen, but if Alonso\u2019s side find themselves trailing against Fulham, Fernandez could be the key to turning the game around.<\/p>\n

What Chelsea\u2019s midfield could look like in Fulham opener<\/h2>\n

So, how exactly could Chelsea line up in midfield when they make the short trip to Craven Cottage for their first game of the 2026\/27 Premier League season?<\/p>\n

Well, Moises Caicedo<\/a> starting is obviously a no-brainer. He is going to be Chelsea\u2019s No.1 midfielder in the upcoming campaign. It is more a matter of who is actually going to play alongside him.<\/p>\n

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Who would you like to see partner Moises Caicedo in midfield next season? Carlos Baleba or someone else?<\/h3>\n

The Brighton star is being linked with a move to Chelsea!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Against Fulham, that may be Romeo Lavia<\/a> or Dario Essugo<\/a>, who have had a full pre-season under Alonso. After that, it is most likely to be Fernandez if he stays or possibly Fabian Ruiz if the Paris Saint-Germain star joins Chelsea and replaces him.<\/p>\n

Amid Fernandez\u2019s uncertain future, it is thought that Chelsea are interested in signing Ruiz<\/a>. Ruiz and Caicedo, what a midfield that would be!<\/p>\n

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