Alonso moves to keep Fernandez at Chelsea amid exit talk
What's new: Chelsea value the Argentina midfielder at about £120 million, and Real Madrid has denied pursuing him.
Xabi Alonso used his first appearance as Chelsea manager to make clear he wants Enzo Fernandez to remain at Stamford Bridge, pushing back against weeks of speculation over the midfielder's future. Fernandez, 25, has been linked with a possible exit and was recently mentioned in reports about Real Madrid, but the Spanish club denied interest last week. With no other destination emerging, Chelsea are understood to want about £120 million for the Argentina international. Alonso said he had spoken directly with Fernandez, who is preparing for Argentina's World Cup semifinal against England, but kept the details private as Chelsea begin preseason planning.