Xabi Alonso says Chelsea needs players with 'desire to play' after leaving out Enzo Fernandez

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea coach Xabi Alonso has defended the decision to leave Enzo Fernandez out of the squad for Thursday's League Cup win over Luton amid reported interest from Manchester City.

Alonso said the club needs players who “feel the desire to play” as he discussed the midfielder's situation Friday ahead of Chelsea's Premier League game against Brighton on Sunday.

“We need the players that are in the best situation to play," Alonso said. “We need to take everything into consideration, players that are in good moments, players that are not feeling that energy to play. For me it’s very important that they feel that desire to play and to have good preparation."

“We talked, and we decided that (for Luton) it was better not to be part of the squad. He’s a top player, there’s no doubt about that.”

Chelsea beat third-tier Luton 2-0 without Fernandez, relying on a debut goal from new signing Danny Welbeck and a Luton own goal.

Any deal for Fernandez, a World Cup finalist for Argentina last month, would leave Chelsea with little time to sign a replacement before the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

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