Danny’s the boy but no sign of Enzo as City rumours build

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was left out of the Carabao Cup match against Luton Town amid ongoing transfer talks with Manchester City, who are negotiating a potential £120 million deal. Chelsea are preparing for his possible departure by scouting replacements and have also signed goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to strengthen their squad.

Manchester City’s interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez continues to generate headlines as the player was conspicuously absent from Chelsea’s squad during their recent Carabao Cup match against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge. Manager Xabi Alonso had previously indicated his intention to field Fernandez in the game, making his omission notable. Chelsea secured a 2-0 victory with goals from Danny Welbeck and an own goal by Luton’s Hakeem Odoffin, despite creating several additional scoring opportunities.

Fernandez’s absence has intensified speculation over a potential transfer to Manchester City, with both the club and player reportedly keen on a move. Alonso confirmed that the decision to leave Fernandez out was mutual between himself and the club, describing the player as a professional and leaving the door open for further developments ahead of the upcoming weekend fixture. The transfer window is approaching its deadline, and Manchester City’s pursuit has been complicated by the player’s £120 million valuation and a late bid. Nevertheless, insiders suggest a deal could be finalized soon.

Chelsea is already considering replacements for Fernandez, with young talents like Alex Scott from Bournemouth and Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace reportedly under evaluation. Meanwhile, Fernandez’s compatriot Valentin Barco started the Carabao Cup match but faced boos from visiting fans recalling his World Cup conduct.

In parallel developments within Chelsea’s squad, the club is set to strengthen its goalkeeping options. Despite earlier statements affirming satisfaction with Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders as the primary goalkeepers, Chelsea agreed on a £7.5 million deal to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa. The Argentine goalkeeper, soon to turn 34, is seen by many supporters and analysts as an upgrade on Sanchez, whose recent performances, including a shaky display against Fulham in the Premier League opener, had raised doubts.

Sanchez’s future at Chelsea appears uncertain as Martinez’s arrival signals a potential shift. Penders, aged 21, made his Chelsea debut in the Carabao Cup match and showed promise with his composure and command in goal, earning positive reactions from supporters in the Matthew Harding Stand.

Additional focus was also on winger Pedro Neto, who was introduced as a substitute during the cup game. After criticism for not tracking back in a recent match against Fulham, Neto drew applause for his defensive efforts against Luton, reflecting a commitment to improve on the pitch.

Elsewhere, Fulham secured a 3-0 win over Wimbledon in a League One cup fixture at Craven Cottage. Despite early frustrations with matchday hospitality and Wimbledon’s resilient defense, Fulham’s persistence paid off with goals from Emile Smith Rowe, Rodrigo Muniz, and summer signing Gonzalo Garcia, who scored his second consecutive goal. The victory provided a positive start for manager Álvaro Arbeloa amid ongoing scrutiny of his leadership following a challenging preseason.

As the summer transfer window nears its close, Chelsea’s ongoing squad adjustments and Manchester City’s attempts to bolster their midfield highlight the dynamic nature of the current football landscape.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.