Xabi Alonso's Chelsea role could convince Enzo Fernandez to stay amid Real Madrid links

Xabi Alonso’s arrival as Chelsea manager, with reported control over transfer decisions, could prove the decisive factor in keeping Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge this summer, according to former Blues winger Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Fernandez has spent much of the season at the centre of departure speculation. The Argentine midfielder was handed a club ban after publicly admitting uncertainty over his future and expressing a desire to live in Madrid, comments his agent Javier Pastore later sought to walk back, insisting Fernandez “does not mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it.”

Alonso’s appointment as manager — rather than head coach, a distinction that suggests broader authority at the club — places him in a position to directly influence whether Fernandez stays or goes. Reports indicate Chelsea would consider sanctioning a sale if a £120 million offer arrived, though the midfielder is said to remain within Alonso’s plans for next season.

Wright-Phillips, speaking to Betway, argued that Alonso’s standing and his control over recruitment could be a powerful retention tool. “I think Xabi Alonso is a fantastic manager,” he said. “The way it seems to me is that Chelsea are going to give him the run of the club in terms of what transfers are coming in and having a say in it. I think that could be the thing that helps players stay, as he can now use that as a persuasive tool.”

Wright-Phillips also played down the prospect of Manchester City entering the race for Fernandez, citing the depth already available to Pep Guardiola in central midfield. “I honestly don’t think he’s somebody City will go for because they have enough midfielders to play that role — they have Nico Gonzalez, obviously Rodri is there, Phil Foden and Nico O’Reilly who can easily play there.”

On his appointment, Alonso said Chelsea’s ownership and sporting leadership shared his ambitions. “We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies,” he said. “There is great talent in the squad.”

Wright-Phillips suggested the stability Alonso brings could be enough to reassure not just Fernandez but other key players. “Players like Enzo, Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and even the likes of Cucurella or Reece James will want to stay at that club, but they want to know the club’s stable and moving forward at the same time. I think Xabi coming into Chelsea will stabilise that.”