Enzo Fernandez can be forgiven for no longer feeling welcome at Chelsea – it’s hard to see where he fits under Alonso

ENZO FERNANDEZ can be forgiven for no longer feeling welcome at Chelsea. And not just because some Blues fans booed him on his return to Stamford Bridge. Enzo Fernandez was back in action from the bench on Saturday Credit: Alamy The Argentine was brought on from the bench against Real Sociedad Credit: Alamy It is also hard to see where Fernandez fits in the system which new manager Xabi Alonso wants to play. The Argentinian’s all-round quality and competitive nature mean he can contribute effectively in a variety of roles. Sign up for the Chelsea newsletter Thank you! But the attacking aspects to his game which make him world class are not what Alonso needs from his central midfielders. And are just what former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is looking to add to his Manchester City squad, following the departure of Tijjani Reijnders. Friday’s 5pm deadline for City or anyone else to seal a £120m deal for Fernandez never looked like the end of the story. What happened on Saturday only strengthened that feeling. Although many Blues fans sang in support of Fernandez, the booing of his name while he was still off the pitch, and of most of his touches once he came on, created an uncomfortable atmosphere. Much of the hostility derives from his role in Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England, especially the cupped-ears celebration of his equaliser in front of the Three Lions fans. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Fernandez wound England fans up during the World Cup Credit: Reuters But Fernandez and his camp have long made it clear he wants out, preferably to City after Real Madrid’s interest faded. As he watched the first hour of the win over Real Sociedad, he will have seen Chelsea moving on without him. For the third pre-season friendly in a row, and the last before the Premier League opener at Fulham, Alonso adopted the 3-4-2-1 shape he favoured at Bayer Leverkusen. Starting wing-backs Pedro Neto and Marco Palestra, especially the latter down the left, were encouraged to play high and wide. With Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers tucked inside as No10’s behind Joao Pedro, Reece James and Moises Caicedo were a double midfield pivot in what became a 3-2-5 formation in possession. Their brief was to sniff out danger in the centre, win their battles, and link defence to attack. Not to make the kind of attacking thrusts which made Fernandez Chelsea’s second-top scorer and assist provider last season. Fernandez replaced James for the final 28 minutes and did absolutely fine. A succession of Chelsea bosses have used him there at times. But ahead of further outgoings before the end of the transfer window, Alonso has specialist deep-lying midfielders in Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, Jordan Henderson and Valentin Barco. Fernandez received a mixed reception from Chelsea fans Credit: Alamy Although Fernandez could also be effective in one the more advanced roles, Palmer, Rogers and Estevao, who came on with 15 minutes to go, would play ahead of him when fit. Rogers marked his debut with an early poacher’s goal and his movement was impressive throughout. Fernandez is among a number of Chelsea players whose future is in doubt with a fortnight or so of the summer window left. Pedro was the only one of Alonso’s six centre forwards involved against Sociedad. The Brazilian was all the Blues needed, as he continued his fine form with a header from a James cross and a cool finish from Malo Gusto’s through ball. New signing Danny Welbeck will not be going anywhere. But fellow absentees Liam Delap, Nicolas Jackson, Emmanuel Emegha and Marc Guiu could all find themselves leaving, on loan or permanently. Poor Guiu did not even make the first-team squad list on the back of the matchday programme, despite it featuring 33 names. Tosin Adarabioyo was included. But his No4 shirt has passed to Barco, with Marseille and Benfica among the clubs interested. Saudi club Al-Hilal are in for Neto, whose impressive adaptation to the wing-back role will not be enough to make Chelsea turn down a £50m offer for him. Alonso will want numbers trimmed to give him a manageable group for a season without European competition. The Chelsea manager played four at the back earlier in pre-season, which would give Fernandez more opportunity to play to his strengths. But the Argentinian’s particular skillset would be more valued elsewhere. And your own fans jeering a wantaway senior player would be an unwelcome distraction as Alonso and the club both try to make a new start. So watch this space. Fernandez’s Chelsea future remains in doubt Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Comment now