Enzo Fernandez sale was 'best for the team' says Xabi Alonso

Updated: 4 Sept 2026 14:15 BST | 4 min read

Xabi Alonso, Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea — © IMAGO

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has confirmed that the decision to sell Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City for a British record transfer fee was “best for the team.”

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The Argentina midfielder was desperate to leave Stamford Bridge throughout the entire summer transfer window and after Real Madrid opted against pursuing a deal, he set his sights on reuniting with Enzo Maresca at Man City.

Following lengthy talks with Chelsea, a deal was finally agreed on Transfer Deadline Day, with City paying a whopping €145 million to bring the 25-year-old to the Etihad Stadium amid their midfield revamp.

Current ETV

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Man City

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Man City

ETV Range

€75M - €91.7M

The eight-time Premier League champions also added Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi to their roster of options in the middle of the park, with Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez all leaving the club this summer.

Fernandez is expected to immediately play a pivotal role for City and despite his importance to Chelsea during a three-and-a-half year stint in west London, Alonso has no regrets about the sale.

When asked about the decision to sell Fernandez during his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s match against Arsenal on Sunday, Alonso said: “We take all the decisions together. We work together with everything, big decisions, small ones.

“The last goal is ultimately to be the best for the team. We want to build a good spirit, a good team.

“In football, many things happen,” he added. “You need to be prepared for everything. We had conversations with Enzo but with respect. We are thankful for what he has done for the club. But we need to move on.”

Chelsea were close to signing Lamine Camara on Deadline Day, before AS Monaco cancelled the move at the final hurdle, however Alonso refused to address the proposed transfer when asked if he was disappointed by the club’s failure to secure a deal.

“We are prepared and happy with the squad we have, the competition in positions,” he said. “There's a good balance of players in different stages.”

© IMAGO - Enzo Fernandez left Chelsea on Transfer Deadline Day

Xabi Alonso ‘happy’ with Chelsea’s transfer business

Chelsea spent over €400 million on new signings during the summer window and despite several notable exits, Alonso confirmed that he is delighted by the club’s business in the transfer market.

“I think that we can be very happy with the whole transfer window,” the Blues boss admitted.

“We started talking in late May, early June, we have accomplished many things. It's a very balanced phase one we have done in this window. What we had, where we are, phase one is completed.”

Meanwhile, when asked about Chelsea’s midfield options following the sale of Fernandez, Alonso said: “Different qualities, personalities. Valentin [Barco] is young but he has a great energy. Hendo [Jordan Henderson] has the composure and the mentality. Hendo knows what is going on in the game, he's getting closer and closer to playing time.

“Reece [James] as well, Malo [Gusto]. [Reggie] Watson and Mahdi [Nicoll-Jazuli] from the academy. We have options, quality and competitiveness.”