Enzo Fernandez LEFT OUT of Chelsea squad to face Luton: Wantaway Blues star ‘available’ but dropped by Xabi Alonso with club braced for £100m Man City bid
Enzo Fernandez has been omitted from Chelsea’s matchday squad for their League Cup tie with Luton Town, as speculation over his future at the club intensifies amid Manchester City’s interest.
The 25-year-old is wanted by City before the transfer window closes on September 1 – with the Etihad outfit preparing a £100million bid, as reported by Daily Mail Sport. Even if that offer does come it is set to be rejected, with Chelsea wanting £120m.
Despite Fernandez’s uncertain future, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso insisted that the Argentine would be part of his squad for Thursday’s Carabao Cup second-round tie at home to Luton.
However, when the team news came out on Thursday evening, Fernandez’s name was nowhere to be seen in the 20-man squad.
Asked about Fernandez’s absence from the squad against Luton, Alonso said: ‘We assessed situations, individual and collective and we have decided he is not in the squad for today.’
Speaking on Wednesday, Alonso was adamant to see his No 8 involved, saying: ‘Yes, so we expect that he’s involved.
Manchester City target Enzo Fernandez has been left out of Chelsea’s squad to face Luton
Xabi Alonso insisted ahead of the game Fernandez would be involved in the Carabao Cup tie
‘He’s trained, he’s training really well, he’s a good professional and he will be involved.’
When pressed on whether he wants Fernandez to remain a Chelsea player after this window, Alonso added: ‘We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it. We have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let’s see how things develop.
‘We assess the whole squad as a unit and in that squad, we want good balance in terms of quality, in terms of positions, in terms of personalities, so we are aware of everything and we are prepared for whatever.’
Without Fernandez, Chelsea will look to beat their League One opponents and set up a third-round home showdown with fierce rivals Leeds United next month.
