Enzo Fernandez was left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad again as doubts remain over his future at Stamford Bridge. The Argentine also missed the Blues’ Carabao Cup win over Luton in midweek, with manager Xabi Alonso explaining that the midfielder was omitted as it was “better for the team”, rather than anything linked to the transfer interest in him.
Fernandez absent for Brighton clash
Standard Sport has reported previously that Manchester City maintain an interest in the 25-year-old, who was booed by both Chelsea and Fulham fans in the west London derby on Monday evening. Now, he has been left out entirely of Sunday’s encounter with Brighton and Hove Albion, with Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto starting in the engine room of Alonso’s 3-4-2-1 shape.
Explaining Fernandez’s absence pre-match, Alonso said: "We assess what's best for the team and considering everything, the situation, we need a team that is focused, with everyone involved that's fully committed and engaged with the game."
Sanchez also excluded
Another key exclusion was Robert Sanchez, the former Brighton goalkeeper, whose own future in west London has been thrown into question after the £7.5million arrival of Emi Martinez from Aston Villa, which was confirmed on Sunday morning. Martinez, who reached the World Cup final alongside Fernandez last summer, was selected from the off against Brighton having been registered in time for the fixture.
On Sanchez, Alonso remarked: "We'll see. It was a decision we thought was good for the team, for the club. Sometimes you have to take tough decisions because this one is an important one. But now we need to look forward."
Mike Penders, the young Belgian shot-stopper, was named as the hosts’ substitute goalkeeper on Sunday, having kept goal in midweek.
