Fernandez has been heavily linked with Manchester City, a move that would see him reunite with former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. Maresca has identified Fernandez as a priority target following Rodri’s confirmed move to Barcelona, and City are expected to lodge an offer before the upcoming deadline.
Earlier in the week, Alonso confirmed that Fernandez would be available for selection for Thursday’s second-round game with Luton. “Yes, we expect that he’s involved,” Alonso said. “He’s trained, he’s training really well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved. We want to have the best team possible.” Despite this, Fernandez did not appear in the matchday squad, sparking questions about his immediate future at Stamford Bridge.
A report from Argentine journalist César Luis Merlo claimed Fernandez asked Alonso to omit him from the squad as negotiations continue for a potential move to Manchester City. The piece stated that, at that moment, neither club had announced an agreement and the deal remained in negotiation as the transfer window neared its end.
In the build-up to kickoff, Alonso selected both Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers for the Luton match, but Fernandez’s absence dominated discussions before the ball was kicked. Speaking to Sky Sports, Alonso outlined the decision, saying, “We assessed situations, individual and collective and we have decided he is not in the squad for today.” When asked about Fernandez’s future, he added, “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.”
This week Maresca indicated he hopes to add leadership to the squad before the transfer window closes. He noted that Chelsea already has experienced players and leaders, but emphasized the need to potentially add one or two captains beyond Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland, as the squad continues to mature. Maresca previously named Fernandez as his vice-captain, a role he has filled when Reece James was sidelined.
Chelsea’s evolving transfer situation continues to captivate attention as the window deadline approaches, with Fernandez at the center of ongoing speculation about his future and the composition of Chelsea’s squad for the season ahead.
