Speaker 1: Enzo Fernandez has formally rejoined the Chelsea match day squad
Speaker 1: after completing his extended post World Cup holiday break, taking
Speaker 1: a seat on the substitute's bench for Chelsea's pre season fixture.
Speaker 1: The twenty five year old Argentine international reported back to
Speaker 1: full training at Cobham earlier in the week following his
Speaker 1: run with Argentina to the twenty twenty six FIFA World
Speaker 1: Cup Final in North America. New Chelsea head coach Sabi
Speaker 1: Alonso has opted to manage Fernandez's physical reintegration, gradually balancing
Speaker 1: his match fitness with the intense tactical workload ahead of
Speaker 1: the opening round of the Premier League season. Fernandez's presence
Speaker 1: on the bench coincides with the passage of a major
Speaker 1: transfer deadline imposed directly by Chelsea management. The West London
Speaker 1: club had issued a firm stance to prospective suitors, notably
Speaker 1: Manchester City and former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, stating that
Speaker 1: any formal proposal for the midfielder must meet their one
Speaker 1: hundred twenty million pound valuation before five pm deadline on Friday,
Speaker 1: with Manchester City opting not to submit a deadline meeting bid.
Speaker 1: Chelsea officials consider the saga resolved for the current window
Speaker 1: and fully expect Fernandez to serve as a key pillar
Speaker 1: in Zabi Alonzo's midfield set up. Despite persistent rumors throughout
Speaker 1: the summer, including early inquiries from Real Madrid that were
Speaker 1: ultimately withdrawn, Chelsea's hierarchy maintained an unwavering posture regarding Fernandez's
Speaker 1: contractual status. Xabi Alonso has repeatedly publicly reaffirmed his commitment
Speaker 1: to keeping the World Cup winner at Stamford Bridge, emphasizing
Speaker 1: that Fernandez's passing range, press resistance and leadership are integral
Speaker 1: to the club's tactical transformation. From Manchester City's perspective, their
Speaker 1: pursuit of Fernandez was closely tied to potential roster shifts,
Speaker 1: including to Johnny Rangers's high profile moved to Saudi Pro
Speaker 1: League side Al Kasaia and ongoing speculation surrounding rodri However,
Speaker 1: with Chelsea refusing to grant concessions on their one hundred
Speaker 1: twenty million pounds asking price and this self imposed Friday
Speaker 1: deadline expiring without an agreement, City have shifted focus to
Speaker 1: alternative targets, with his immediate future firmly anchored at Stamford Bridge.
Speaker 1: Fernandez's return to training and match day inclusion provides immediate
Speaker 1: stability for Chelsea as Xabi Alonso prepares for his inaugural
Speaker 1: Premier League campaign. Having a fully committed prime age World
Speaker 1: Cup winner in the engine room allows Chelsea to finalize
Speaker 1: their tactical preparations with complete clarity.