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Alonso Urges Chelsea to Move On After Fernandez Exit

Published

2 months ago

September 4, 2026

Chelsea Fernandez exit has prompted Xabi Alonso to call for unity as the Blues turn their attention to Arsenal after a perfect start

Xabi Alonso, Chelsea manager, on Friday, September 4, 2026, urged Chelsea to move forward after Enzo Fernandez completed his British record-equalling £125 million transfer to Manchester City, with the London club preparing for a crucial Premier League meeting with Arsenal.

Also read: EPL: Maresca Reveals Why Man City Signed Fernandez

Fernandez’s departure brought an extended transfer saga to an end shortly before Tuesday’s deadline, leaving Chelsea without one of the midfielders who had become an important part of the squad.

Alonso acknowledged that the club had held discussions with Fernandez before the transfer was completed but stressed that the relationship remained respectful throughout the process.

“With Enzo, we have had conversations, but always with respect as well,” Alonso told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

“What he has done for the club, it has been great, and we are thankful, but now it is time to move forward.”

Chelsea had attempted to strengthen the midfield after Fernandez’s departure by pursuing Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara.

The proposed move, however, collapsed after Monaco failed to submit a deal sheet before the transfer window closed, leaving Chelsea unable to complete the signing.

Alonso declined to dwell on the failed move, instead expressing confidence in the squad available to him.

“I think that we are prepared and happy with the squad, the depth, with the healthy competition we have in different positions,” he said.

The Chelsea manager also emphasised that the club’s recruitment decisions had been taken collectively, with the wider objective of building a competitive and cohesive squad.

“We take all the decisions together,” Alonso said. “We are responsible for them with our work together, the big ones, small ones.”

Chelsea’s immediate attention now turns to Arsenal on Sunday, with the Blues looking to maintain their 100 per cent start to the new Premier League campaign.

The fixture will provide an early test of how quickly Alonso’s reshaped squad can settle following a summer of significant movement.

Chelsea have undergone extensive changes during the transfer window, and Alonso said he was satisfied with the work completed since discussions began in late May and early June.

“We can be very happy with the whole transfer window,” he said.

The manager will also assess the fitness of midfielder Moises Caicedo after the Ecuador international was forced off during the closing stages of Chelsea’s recent match against Brighton.

Despite the disruption caused by Fernandez’s departure and the late collapse of the Camara deal, Alonso believes Chelsea have enough quality and depth to compete.

He said the priority was now to build the right energy during training and translate it into performances at the weekend.

“So far, it is just two games, but it has been a good start and now we know who is in the building and that is good to have that certainty,” Alonso said.

The Chelsea Fernandez exit has therefore closed one chapter of a turbulent transfer period, but Alonso will be judged increasingly on how effectively he can turn a heavily reshaped squad into a settled and competitive side.

Also read: EPL: Maresca Reveals Why Man City Signed Fernandez

Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal offers an early opportunity to demonstrate that Chelsea can leave the transfer drama behind and concentrate on the season ahead.

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Carrick Admits Man United Have Fallen Below Expectations

Published

22 hours ago

October 23, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Michael Carrick admits Man United have fallen below expectations after a poor run of results, urging players to restore the club’s identity

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has admitted that the club have fallen below expectations following a disappointing run of results, insisting that his players must rediscover the values and identity that have defined the Premier League side.

Also read: NSCDC arrests 22-year-old over cable vandalism in Gombe

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, October 23, 2026, ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, Carrick described the team’s recent performances as unacceptable and called for a collective effort to restore confidence.

The manager was particularly critical of Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, which he said had been painful to witness.

“Recently we haven’t had a good time, I think that’s pretty obvious,” Carrick said, according to BBC Sport.

“Wednesday was a bad night, and it hurt me to see us play like that. It was unacceptable.”

United’s struggles have intensified scrutiny of Carrick, with the team enduring a run of seven games without a victory.

Reports of tensions and criticism within the squad have added to the pressure ahead of the Bournemouth fixture.

The former United midfielder said his priority was to ensure the team performed in a way that reflected the club’s traditions and gave supporters reason to be proud.

“My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents this football club, and the supporters, and they can be proud of in the identity we show,” he said.

“We have gone away from that recently. We all must recognise that.”

Carrick stressed that Manchester United’s history should serve as a reminder of the standards expected from players and staff, particularly during difficult periods.

He highlighted resilience, humility and hard work as essential qualities, warning that the club could not afford to abandon those principles amid its current struggles.

“The foundation and values of this football club have been etched for many years. I totally understand and get every single one of them,” he said.

“There’s a resilience about this football club that runs very deep. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I’ve felt it, I know some of the individuals closely who have been a big part of that history.”

Carrick also rejected any suggestion that the club’s reputation should entitle its players to special treatment.

“Entitlement cannot be at this football club,” he said.

“It was based on being humble, having humility, and hard work. We can never lose that, and I won’t let us lose that.”

Carrick also declined to rule out leaving captain Bruno Fernandes out of the starting line-up against Bournemouth when asked whether he had considered dropping the Portuguese midfielder.

Fernandes has reportedly criticised Carrick’s tactics following the defeat in Italy, adding another dimension to the scrutiny surrounding the team.

However, Carrick said decisions would be guided by what he believed was best for the club rather than individual considerations.

“The most important thing for me is the team, the squad and dynamics in the squad,” he said.

“It’s about the football club. I’ll always do what is best for the football club.”

His comments suggest that team selection will be based on collective performance and squad dynamics as United seek to arrest their poor run.

Manchester United will host Bournemouth on Sunday as Carrick attempts to guide the team back to winning ways and ease mounting pressure.

The manager’s immediate challenge is to translate his call for renewed commitment into an improved performance on the pitch.

Also read: NSCDC arrests 22-year-old over cable vandalism in Gombe

With supporters demanding better results, the Bournemouth encounter presents United with an opportunity to demonstrate greater resilience and begin rebuilding confidence within the squad.