Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez tension grows amid Madrid links
After a poor 1-goal season, Liam Delap wants to stay and impress Xabi Alonso. Chelsea prefer a Strasbourg loan, while several Premier League clubs show interest in a permanent deal.
Barcelona are eyeing Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella as a full-back option. He is considering leaving after a poor campaign, with Man City and Atletico Madrid also keen.
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler says he is still messaging incoming Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso and praised his trust and tactics, hinting their strong relationship could aid any future Chelsea move.
Chelsea rank 18th for number of different nationalities used in the Premier League this season, as four clubs top the list with 17 and Everton sit bottom with 9.
Alonso approves a move for Aston Villa’s £80m Morgan Rogers to partner or cover Cole Palmer. With Enzo Fernandez requesting to leave, Chelsea view Rogers as a possible midfield-forward solution.
Real Madrid cannot meet Chelsea’s £125m Enzo Fernandez value, so may offer Aurelien Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga. Fit alongside Moises Caicedo is debated as Alonso weighs midfield balance.
Man City and Real Madrid chase Enzo Fernandez, with Arsenal monitoring. Alonso views him as key but Chelsea want £100m-£110m. Long contract to 2032 complicates any move.
Chelsea want a senior left winger and admire Rafael Leao, but he says he prefers Man United and also follows Arsenal. Lack of European football could hinder Chelsea’s pursuit.
Chelsea have made an opening bid for a top English prospect dubbed the next Cole Palmer as they target another homegrown star.
Jason Cundy backs Bruno Guimaraes as Enzo Fernandez’s replacement, citing Newcastle’s potential sales. Guimaraes’ goals and deeper role make him a logical target if Fernandez leaves.
Chelsea deem Cole Palmer, Reece James, Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill untouchable. Enzo Fernandez is not on the list and could depart, though the club would demand a big fee.
Strained ties with Enzo Fernandez’s agent and rejected offers leave Chelsea vulnerable as Real Madrid interest grows. A swap including Dean Huijsen is floated, with Alonso keen to resolve the standoff.
Chelsea plan a move for free agent Ibrahima Konaté after his Liverpool exit, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also in contact. A centre-back is a priority and Konaté could lead the defence.
Goalkeeper Mike Penders was rated Conference League’s best player after a strong Strasbourg loan. With Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen likely to go, Alonso must decide if Penders becomes no.1.
Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea vice-captain, wants a 2026 move, preferring Real Madrid. After the 8-2 PSG loss he questioned Chelsea’s ambition. No Europe and a €140m price tag frame a likely summer saga.
Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho is left out of Argentina’s preliminary World Cup squad after a mixed debut season of 8 goals and 4 assists in 43 games, denting his international hopes.
John Terry backs Xabi Alonso to lead signings and impose a 3-4-3 style, calling for experienced arrivals and expecting summer exits after a poor season.
