Xabi Alonso is officially Chelsea's manager and has wasted no time setting out his stall. Unveiled at Stamford Bridge on Monday afternoon, the 44-year-old used his first major press conference to address the futures of several key players — and made clear that Enzo Fernandez is firmly in his plans.

Fernandez at the centre of it

The Argentina midfielder is currently on World Cup duty, preparing for a semi-final against England, but his club future has been the subject of considerable speculation. Real Madrid were linked with a move last week, though the Spanish club swiftly denied any interest, leaving Fernandez with no obvious exit route and Chelsea holding firm on a reported £120 million asking price.

Alonso was direct when asked whether he wants to keep the 25-year-old. "Yes," he said, before adding: "We have spoken. But, as you can understand, what we said will remain private." Brief, but unambiguous. The noises out of Stamford Bridge are very much that Fernandez is going nowhere.

Jackson back in the fold, Garnacho seeking an exit

Nicolas Jackson is also set to remain at the club for now. Bayern Munich opted against making his loan deal permanent, and Alonso confirmed the striker will join Chelsea's 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 situation with Alejandro Garnacho is rather different. The winger has not reported for pre-season training under Alonso, and the manager confirmed there is a mutual understanding in place — Garnacho is free to pursue a move elsewhere while a buyer is found. Roma are among the clubs said to be monitoring the situation.

Building toward Europe

Alonso took charge of a Chelsea side that missed out on European football after a final-day defeat to Sunderland, and he acknowledged that Champions League qualification is the baseline expectation at the club. "For sure, that's a goal. But to reach that goal you have to do many things right," he said. "We are ambitious, and at Chelsea you need to share that energy and hunger to succeed."

The squad Alonso is working with at Cobham includes Cole Palmer, João Pedro and Levi Colwill, with only eight players currently away at the World Cup. He also confirmed the club's transfer thinking is clearly mapped out, describing close alignment with Chelsea's sporting directors on which positions need strengthening before the new season kicks off in August.

In a separate development, midfielder Andrey Santos completed a move to Manchester United in the hour before Alonso faced the media — a reminder that the squad trimming is already under way, even as the business of signing players continues in the background.

A new chapter at the Bridge

Alonso entered the Drake Suite — a room honouring Chelsea's title-winning managers — and said it was a "privilege and honour" to take charge of a club with such a decorated history. He follows Enzo Maresca and the short-lived Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after less than four months in charge, meaning stability will be as welcome at Stamford Bridge as silverware.

For now, Alonso looks settled, measured and clear on what he wants. Whether he gets it — starting with keeping Fernandez — will define the tone of what could be a pivotal summer for Chelsea.

  • Enzo Fernandez — Chelsea want to keep him; £120m asking price remains in place
  • Nicolas Jackson — returning from Bayern Munich loan; will join pre-season tour
  • Alejandro Garnacho — not in pre-season training; seeking a transfer, Roma interested
  • Andrey Santos — completed move to Manchester United on Monday

Frequently asked

Is Enzo Fernandez leaving Chelsea this summer?
As of Monday 14 July, Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has said he wants Fernandez to stay. Real Madrid denied interest last week, and Chelsea's reported asking price of £120m leaves any potential buyer facing a significant outlay.
Who is Xabi Alonso replacing as Chelsea manager?
Alonso follows Liam Rosenior, who was sacked after less than four months in charge. Rosenior had himself replaced Enzo Maresca, who left Chelsea in January.
Will Chelsea be in European football next season?
No — Chelsea missed out on European qualification after a final-day defeat to Sunderland. Alonso has identified returning to Europe as a key goal, with Champions League football the standard expectation at the club.