Xabi Alonso was unveiled as Chelsea manager at Stamford Bridge on Monday, using his first press conference to declare his intention to build around Enzo Fernandez despite intense transfer speculation.
Alonso revealed he has spoken to Fernandez and wants the midfielder to remain at the club. The 25-year-old, who has made 169 appearances and scored 32 goals since arriving from Benfica in 2023, is currently with Argentina preparing to face England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final. Chelsea have set a £120 million asking price for Fernandez, while Real Madrid publicly denied pursuing a move last week.
Alonso also described Cole Palmer as a "special talent" central to his plans and said the lack of European football would not alter the club's objectives. Elsewhere, midfielder Andrey Santos joined Manchester United shortly before the press conference, Nicolas Jackson is set to rejoin the squad for pre-season after Bayern Munich declined to make his loan permanent, and Alejandro Garnacho remains away from training while seeking a move, with Roma among the interested clubs.