"We have spoken. But, as you can understand, what we said will remain private." Xabi Alonso's first significant Chelsea line was about Enzo Fernández, and it told you plenty about where he is starting. He was unveiled at Stamford Bridge on Monday, wants Fernandez to stay, has confirmed Nicolas Jackson is back with the squad for the Asia tour, and is already tied to a live chase for P. Chavarría.

Alonso's first calls on the core squad

Alonso did not offer much detail on Fernandez beyond confirming the conversation, but the message itself mattered. Chelsea's new manager is not treating the midfielder as expendable. Fernandez is 25 and has been linked with Real Madrid, which denied pursuing him last week.

That makes Alonso's stance pretty straightforward. He wants one of Chelsea's biggest names kept in place while he starts work on a team that finished 10th in the Premier League on 52 points.

He also used his first public comments to settle Jackson's immediate status. Speaking to BBC Sport, Alonso said: "Nico Jackson is joining the tour in Asia and we are looking forward to him working with us."

That does not guarantee anything beyond pre-season, but it does end any idea that Jackson has already been pushed aside. His recent numbers were modest, 4 appearances, 249 minutes and a 6.6 rating, yet Alonso has brought him back into the conversation rather than shutting the door.

There was a similar tone around outgoings. Alonso said of Alejandro Garnacho: "There is interest in him from other clubs. Hopefully it finishes in the best possible way for everyone." That sounds like a manager willing to make decisions case by case, not one trying to keep every asset at all costs.

The Chavarria pursuit and the rebuild behind it

The transfer work already points the same way. Matteo Moretto told Football365: "Exclusive. Chelsea step up pursuit of Pep Chavarria. The English club has just submitted a new offer to Rayo for him."

Chelsea's interest in Chavarria looks serious, but the fee picture is still unsettled. Reports say an initial €9m offer was turned down by Rayo Vallecano. There is also a separate line that Rayo rejected an offer of less than €15m including bonuses almost a week earlier. The latest Chelsea bid is reported to be worth up to €25m including a fixed fee and bonuses, while Rayo want €25m without bonuses.

So the broad point is clear even if the exact structure is not: Chelsea are pushing. They have not signed Chavarria, but they have moved quickly enough for him to look like more than a casual target.

That fits Alonso's wider message about the club. He said: "I want to enjoy it, be part of this club and work with the sporting directors. It is a club with great potential. We need to make the right decisions, but we have a strong base to build on."

That last part is probably the key line of the lot. Chelsea's last five competitive matches were uneven, with two wins, one draw and two defeats, so there is no reason for false comfort. Alonso has inherited a side with talent, and players such as Cole Palmer will shape the discussion around that talent, but his first public moves suggest he is looking at structure before shine.

He wants Fernandez in place. He wants Jackson back with the group. He is prepared to keep transfer business moving. Chelsea's new manager also said the club want to target qualifying for Europe in his first season, and that aim gives the next few weeks a clear frame.

FAQ

Will Enzo Fernandez stay at Chelsea under Xabi Alonso?

Xabi Alonso's first public line was that he has already spoken to Enzo Fernandez and wants him to stay. He did not reveal the details of that conversation. Fernandez, who is 25, has been linked with Real Madrid, but Madrid denied pursuing him last week.

Is Nicolas Jackson part of Chelsea's plans for next season?

For now, yes. Alonso said Nicolas Jackson will join Chelsea's tour in Asia and that the staff are looking forward to working with him. His recent snapshot was modest, with 4 appearances, 249 minutes and a 6.6 rating, but Alonso has clearly put him back into the picture.

Are Chelsea close to signing Pep Chavarria?

Chelsea have not signed Pep Chavarria. Reports say they have stepped up their pursuit with a new offer to Rayo Vallecano after an earlier bid was rejected. The numbers are still disputed around structure, with Chelsea reported at up to €25m including bonuses and Rayo wanting €25m without bonuses.

Why is Xabi Alonso already talking about Chelsea squad decisions?

Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League on 52 points and their recent form was uneven, with two wins in the last five competitive matches. Alonso said the club has a strong base to build on, but his first comments suggest he sees squad control and recruitment as immediate priorities.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 7 outlets. How we work →