Xabi Alonso Confirms Possible Departures of Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto Ahead of Transfer Deadline

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea's manager, has revealed that both Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto might leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. Fernandez was notably missing from Chelsea’s recent win over Brighton as Manchester City prepares a record-breaking bid for the Argentine midfielder.

Fernandez Left Out Again in Chelsea’s Victory

Chelsea secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton to keep their winning streak alive in the Premier League. Yet, the focus remains on the club's transfer dealings. Alonso chose not to include Fernandez in the squad for the second match running, following a similar decision during the midweek Carabao Cup clash with Luton.

Reports suggest Fernandez has agreed terms with Manchester City. Chelsea, however, are holding out for a £130 million British record fee to let their key midfielder go. This sale is likely to depend on Chelsea securing a suitable replacement first. The Blues have reportedly agreed terms with Monaco's Lamine Camara as they prepare for Fernandez’s potential departure.

Alonso on the Decision to Drop Fernandez

"We’ll see. We want the best for the team and that’s why we made the decision [to leave Fernandez out] against Luton and today," Alonso told reporters. "Anything that happens before Tuesday evening, we need to be aware of what is going to develop. We are not sure, we are preparing for all the scenarios."

Despite the uncertainty, Alonso is confident his squad will be strong enough to face the demanding season ahead. "I am sure that whatever happens from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete in all the Premier League games," he added.

Pedro Neto’s Future Remains Unclear

While Fernandez’s exit seems probable, Neto’s position at Chelsea is also uncertain. Several top Premier League clubs are interested in the Portuguese winger, who played in an unusual wing-back role against Brighton. Despite this, Neto impressed by scoring and consistently threatening the opposition.

When asked if Neto would definitely stay, Alonso said, "No, in football I don’t guarantee anything, not anyone. But I was very happy with Pedro. He did really well, he played with a lot of energy. He is going to be very important for the team for the whole season because he has different special qualities."

He praised Neto’s one-on-one threat, attacking ability, strength, and competitiveness. "I am happy that he scored, he was really close to scoring another one. I am very happy with Pedro," Alonso said.

Final Hours of the Transfer Window

Chelsea face hectic final hours in the transfer market, balancing possible big-money exits with new signings. Securing a deal for Lamine Camara could pave the way for Fernandez’s move to Manchester City. Once the deadline passes on Tuesday, Alonso will focus fully on domestic competitions, aiming to keep Chelsea’s perfect start to the Premier League intact.