Xabi Alonso has reaffirmed Enzo Fernández’s status as a Chelsea player and said the Argentina star is preparing for Monday’s game against Fulham.
Chelsea opened the door for Fernandez to depart but imposed a deadline of 5 p.m. BST on Friday, Aug. 14 for clubs to make a deal.
Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca worked with Fernandez at Chelsea and the club were linked with a move, but it never eventuated.
Chelsea valued the Argentina midfielder at £120 million ($161.8m).
Sources told ESPN at the time that Chelsea contacted Fernandez’s representatives to inform them they expect him to stay at the club until at least next summer.
Asked about Fernandez’s status on Thursday, Alonso said: “Enzo is a Chelsea player. He’s a top, top player. He’s training really well. We are happy with him and he’s getting ready for Monday.”
Chelsea open their campaign against west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday, with Alonso coming up against former Real Madrid teammate Alvaro Arbeloa.
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Arbeloa also replaced Alonso as Madrid manager after he was sacked part way through last season. Alonso insisted the pair will put their friendship aside when their sides meet.
“You can have a relationship but once we’re on the pitch, no friends and no past,” he said.
“We are fighting for 90 minutes.”
Information from ESPN’s James Olley contributed to this report.
