Xabi Alonso sends Enzo Fernandez message amid boos from Chelsea fans

Xabi Alonso says he is sure that Chelsea supporters will get behind Enzo Fernandez despite the Argentine midfielder being booed on his return to Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Fernandez, who has been heavily linked with a move away from west London this summer, was booed by sections of the home crowd last Saturday after making his first appearance of pre-season during the Blues’ 3-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Introduced as a second-half substitute, Fernandez received a mixed reception from his own supporters, having publicly angled for a move away from the club over the last few months.

As much as there were boos, there were also chants of support from some supporters, and Alonso says he saw no issue with the way Fernandez was greeted.

“Well, you are not just booed. he was as well chanted his name, so it's a situation, it is not unusual, it can happen, so we support him,” Alonso said in his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s Premier League opener away to Fulham.

“We have a great player with Enzo. He is a top player, he has been so important, and we are happy that when I see him training, you see that he is a competitive mentality, a competitive player, and we work with him every day very well.”

Tough reception: Enzo Fernandez PA Chelsea announced a self-imposed deadline for clubs to meet their £120million valuation for Fernandez, which passed without a formal bid being submitted last Friday.

The decision was taken in an attempt to minimise the disruption leading into Alonso’s first season in charge.

But with just under two weeks left of the transfer window, reports suggest that Manchester City will try to test Chelsea’s resolve as Enzo Maresca looks to reunite with his former player.

The noise around Fernandez has frustrated supporters. But Alonso believes that once the season gets underway, the Chelsea faithful will get behind him again.

“I'm sure it will happen [supporters getting behind Fernandez] because this is the normal situation in football, and once we start the competition, we need the support, and we need the full commitment of all the team and of all the supporters when they come to Stamford Bridge, that we are all on the same direction and that we are pushing in the same direction."