You would forgive Xabi Alonso for taking time to get to grips with his Chelsea squad this summer due to the sheer number of players in the books at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard has been tasked with leading the Blues to Premier League glory, but the fans will certainly have to be patient if he is to be a success in the role.
Big-money additions such as Morgan Rogers and a switch to an unfamiliar 3-4-2-1 system will only add to the time it will take for the squad to adapt to the manager’s demands.
However, one player who’s currently on the books desperately needs to be offloaded before the end of the window to increase the club’s chances of success.
Why Chelsea need to offload Enzo this summer
Every transfer window seems to present a question around whether or not Enzo Fernández will remain a Chelsea player by the time the market closes.
The Argentine has starred for the Blues when called upon at Stamford Bridge, but he’s certainly not shied away from making his feelings clear about wanting a move away.
Real Madrid and Manchester City have both been sniffing around the 25-year-old in recent times – further putting his long-term career in West London into jeopardy.
The reported deadline for any interested party to make a move for his signature has ended – but the circus around the whole fiasco is another issue in itself.
Enzo was even booed by a section of the supporters upon his return to action on Saturday afternoon, with the whole saga starting to take its toll on the fanbase.
If the club are to be successful under Alonso’s guidance, it’s pivotal that everyone at the club is on the same page – something which the Argentine evidently isn’t.
|
Chelsea’s highest-paid players (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Gross pay per week |
|
Reece James |
£200,000 |
|
Wesley Fofana |
£200,000 |
|
Enzo Fernandez |
£180,000 |
|
Pedro Neto |
£160,000 |
|
Moises Caicedo |
£150,000 |
|
Cole Palmer |
£130,000 |
|
Joao Pedro |
£125,000 |
His talent only tells half of the story, with the player’s attitude issues massively preventing him from putting himself into club folklore at Stamford Bridge.
How Chelsea can replace Enzo this summer
Chelsea’s hunt for a new central midfielder has been ongoing throughout the transfer window, but their efforts so far have been to no avail.
Bournemouth star Alex Scott appeared to be the club’s number one target in such an area, even making a bid to land the Englishman earlier this summer.
However, it appears as though Alonso’s men have shifted their attention to other transfer targets, with Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton once again emerging on their radar.
Journalist Simon Phillips has provided the latest on the chase for the 22-year-old, claiming that the Blues have once again been working on a deal to land the talented youngster.
He also claims that a deal could be an expensive one for Alonso’s outfit, as Pierre Sage’s men have stated their desire to keep hold of their star man this summer.
Other reports have previously stated a deal could cost as much as £80m this window, but it remains to be seen if the Blues would be willing to match such an asking price.
Wharton has developed into one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, which he’s seen him become a player in demand.
Despite his tender age, he’s constantly managed to rank highly compared to others in his position, which could see him be the perfect man to fill the void left by Enzo.
The Englishman has operated in a deep-lying position over recent times, but it’s not stopped him from creating a plethora of chances for those ahead of him.
Wharton managed to register an impressive tally of 1.6 chances created per 90 in the Premier League last term – subsequently placing him above 85% of midfielders in the division.
His 52% dribble success rate further showcases his calm and composed nature with the ball at his feet, which could see him fit perfectly into Alonso’s possession-based system.
However, without the ball, the Englishman has also caught the eye in recent months, as he managed to make 5.8 ball recoveries per 90 in England’s top-flight.
The aforementioned figure also placed him above 85% of other midfielders in the Premier League – backing up journalist Matthew Stanger’s claim that he’s a “generational talent.”
At just 22, there’s no reason why Wharton can’t be an immediate and long-term option at the heart of the side for Alonso at Stamford Bridge.
He has all of the tools needed to thrive in the new manager’s system, whilst also being the perfect player to replace Enzo before the summer window closes.
