Chelsea keeps Enzo Fernández as Xabi Alonso begins squad rebuild

Chelsea has confirmed that Argentine midfielder Enzo Fernández will remain at the club under new manager Xabi Alonso, despite speculation that a £120 million sale could recoup part of his £106.8 million fee. The decision comes after the Blues finished 10th in the 2025‑26 Premier League and missed European competition, prompting concerns over lost revenue.

Alonso, appointed to address a large, unsettled squad, faces multiple challenges: winning over the dressing‑room, reviving the form of Cole Palmer and tightening on‑field discipline. Retaining Fernández, a 2022 World Cup winner, is presented as a core part of his plan to rebuild the midfield and restore fan confidence, signaling a strategy of player‑asset retention rather than immediate liquidation.