Xabi Alonso is in the building at Stamford Bridge and he is wasting no time making his priorities clear. The new Chelsea manager faced the media on Monday for his first full press conference since taking charge, and the message on Enzo Fernandez was unambiguous: the club want to keep him.

Fernandez, 25, is currently with Argentina at the World Cup as they prepare for a semi-final against England, but the question of his club future has been hanging in the air for weeks. Real Madrid were linked with a move for the midfielder, only for the Spanish club to publicly deny any interest last week. That denial, combined with Chelsea's reported £120m asking price, means there is no known suitor currently ready to do business — and Alonso appears content to let that situation run in the club's favour.

Asked directly whether he wanted Fernandez to stay, Alonso replied with a simple "yes" before adding: "We have spoken. But, as you can understand, what we said will remain private." It is the kind of controlled answer that reveals just enough without giving anything away — a manager comfortable in a room full of difficult questions.

Jackson in the tour plans, Garnacho on his way out

On Nicolas Jackson, the news is more straightforward. Bayern Munich decided against making the striker's loan permanent, and Alonso confirmed Jackson will join the squad for at least part of the pre-season tour of Australia and Asia. "Nico Jackson is joining the tour in Asia and we are looking forward to him working with us," the manager said.

The picture is rather different for Alejandro Garnacho. The winger has not returned to training since Alonso took the reins last Thursday, and the manager acknowledged there is an agreement in place for Garnacho to remain away from the first-team group while he seeks a transfer. Roma are among the clubs understood to be interested. The noises out of Chelsea suggest this one is heading towards a departure.

European football the target, but Alonso relaxed about rebuild

Chelsea missed out on European football on the final day of last season, losing to Sunderland in a result that ended their qualification hopes. That context shaped much of Monday's briefing, with Alonso asked whether the absence of European football changes his plans for the squad.

"The small details for sure, but the main focus about how we want to start the competition in August doesn't change much," he said. "The team is good and where we want to reinforce in terms of positions is clear."

Andrey Santos joined Manchester United in the hour before the press conference — another indication that a degree of trimming is already under way — but Alonso appeared relaxed about the direction of travel.

On the broader ambition, he left no room for doubt. Champions League qualification is the standard at Stamford Bridge, and Alonso said: "For sure, that's a goal. But to reach that goal you have to do many things right. We are ambitious, and at Chelsea you need to share that energy and hunger to succeed."

A new era takes shape

Alonso entered the Drake Suite — the room at Stamford Bridge that pays tribute to Chelsea's title-winning managers — and called it a "privilege and honour" to lead the club. At 44, he is stepping into a role that has chewed through managers at pace: Enzo Maresca left in January, and Liam Rosenior was sacked after fewer than four months in charge.

He has been working with a large group at Cobham since officially starting on 1 July, with Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill among those on the training pitch. Eight Chelsea players are absent at the World Cup. When the full squad is back together, Alonso says that is when the real work begins. On the evidence of Monday's performance, he looks well equipped for it.

Frequently asked

Does Xabi Alonso want to keep Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea?
Yes. Alonso confirmed at his unveiling press conference that he wants Fernandez to stay at Chelsea, saying the two have spoken privately about the matter.
What is happening with Alejandro Garnacho at Chelsea?
Garnacho has not returned to training under Alonso and there is an agreement for him to stay away from the first-team squad while he looks for a new club. Roma are among the sides reported to be interested.
Will Nicolas Jackson stay at Chelsea after his Bayern Munich loan?
Bayern Munich chose not to make Jackson's loan permanent, and Alonso confirmed the striker will link up with the squad for at least part of Chelsea's pre-season tour of Australia and Asia.