Chelsea are preparing for “all scenarios” regarding Enzo Fernandez’s future, even the possibility of U-turning on a transfer to Manchester City, manager Xabi Alonso said after the midfielder was left out again for the 4-3 win over Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez left out again
The Blues lost control of a match they seemingly had won inside 30 minutes, a scintillating attacking display that had seen them go three goals up disintegrating into chaos in the absence of their World Cup winner in midfield.
Manchester City’s interest in Fernandez and the player’s desire to leave before Tuesday’s transfer deadline meant that for the second game in a row Alonso opted not to involve him and, asked whether the Argentinian had played his last game for Chelsea, he said: “We’ll see. We want the best for the team and that’s why we took the decision against Luton (on Thursday) and today.
“We have to be aware (until) Tuesday evening what is going to develop. We’re not sure. We are preparing for all scenarios. I’m sure that, whatever happens, from Wednesday we will have a good enough squad to compete in the Premier League.”
Palmer rescues Chelsea
It had been another display of electrifying attacking football that should have had the game finished, goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto and Joao Pedro opening up a 3-0 lead that was then almost dismantled by Malick Yalcouye and a Pedro own goal.
Chelsea teetered on the edge of collapse and a Brighton equaliser looked inevitable. Then Cole Palmer took matters into his own hands, bulldozing through midfield to lash in his team’s fourth and send Alonso racing down the touchline in celebration.
“I would say it’s quite normal,” Alonso said of his team’s drop-off at 3-0 up. “It happens in many teams that have worked and had many games together. We are in this process. I am sure that this result, in the future we can manage it better.”
Martinez debut and goalkeeper concerns
Emiliano Martinez made his Chelsea debut just hours after his move from Aston Villa was confirmed. He was not at fault for Brighton’s goals but was unable to prevent the team’s run of games without a league clean sheet stretching to 18.
Robert Sanchez, whose blunders in Monday’s win over Fulham prompted the club to go after Martinez, was not in squad, with his future at the club now in serious doubt.
The goalkeeper position had been seen as the team’s final weak link following a revamp of the squad during the transfer window, with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher saying on Monday it was “impossible” for Chelsea to win the title with Sanchez in the team.
“With Emi, a World Cup winner, 34 years old, experience all around,” said Alonso. “A keeper wants to have a clean sheet, but I’m happy with his first impact. He’s just been in the building for 48 hours.
“Day by day we will feel his presence because he has this charisma, this aura, to influence and have a very positive connection with the rest of team.”
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler revealed his frustration after his team fell short of pegging Chelsea back.
“The frustrating part is that we controlled the game, scored three goals away and had lot of chances but we lost,” he said.
“We didn’t find the right balance between controlling the game and being good defensively. It was small margins and Chelsea had so much quality to punish us.”
