Chelsea’s decision to sell Enzo Fernandez for £125million without securing a replacement will receive its first major examination when Xabi Alonso takes his side to Arsenal on Sunday.
The Blues have started the Premier League season with successive victories, but deadline day dramatically altered Alonso’s options in midfield.
Enzo Fernandez completed his £125m move to Manchester City, while Chelsea’s late attempts to sign Lamine Camara and James Garner failed.
Now the champions are waiting at the Emirates.
Chelsea midfield gamble comes under pressure
Chelsea knew replacing Fernandez could become difficult once Manchester City made their move.
The club still chose to honour the agreement even after Monaco pulled out of the £47m Lamine Camara transfer.
A subsequent £65m deadline-day attempt to sign Everton midfielder James Garner also failed.
Dario Essugo has since joined Strasbourg on loan, further reducing Alonso’s natural midfield depth. ReadChelsea covered that departure after the Enzo sale.
The concern becomes greater because Moises Caicedo is not yet certain to face Arsenal.
Caicedo missed Chelsea’s opening fixtures before returning from the bench against Brighton, only to come off again after 13 minutes.
Alonso told Chelsea’s official website that the midfielder “was cautious to stop” after not feeling right and would be assessed during the week.
Chelsea will hope that caution pays off before Sunday.
Arsenal offer a very different challenge
Chelsea have taken six points from their opening two league matches.
They beat Fulham 3-2 before edging Brighton 4-3 at Stamford Bridge.
The results have been positive, but seven goals scored have come alongside five conceded.
Arsenal have started differently.
Mikel Arteta’s defending champions beat Coventry City 3-0 before winning 1-0 away at Aston Villa. They are yet to concede a Premier League goal this season.
That makes Sunday a much harsher examination of Chelsea’s new midfield balance.
Alonso can still call on Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco, while Reece James has experience moving inside from defence.
Jordan Henderson provides another senior option, although The Standard reports that he remains unavailable following wrist surgery.
Chelsea have struggled at the Emirates
Recent history adds another layer.
Chelsea have not won a Premier League game at Arsenal since August 2021.
Arsenal won 2-1 at the Emirates in March and also knocked Chelsea out of the League Cup there last season.
Sunday therefore gives Alonso an early opportunity to change the tone of this rivalry.
More importantly, it will provide the first serious indication of whether Chelsea were right to believe they could absorb Fernandez’s departure without immediately replacing him.
A £125m sale can look excellent on the balance sheet.
The Emirates will start revealing what it costs on the pitch.
