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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has said he expects Enzo Fernandez to be available for the Carabao Cup on Thursday, even as strong speculation continues to link the midfielder with a late move to Manchester City. City boss Enzo Maresca is reportedly very eager to bring Fernandez to the Etihad Stadium before the transfer window officially shuts later this week.

Carabao Cup plans for Fernandez

Manchester City are getting ready to make an approach for Fernandez despite having missed an informal deadline that Chelsea had set earlier in the window. Fernandez, who is valued at £120 million, has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge throughout the summer.

Even so, Alonso is expecting Fernandez to be part of Chelsea's Carabao Cup match against Luton Town on Thursday, as per The Independent. Fernandez came off the bench in Chelsea's Premier League opener against Fulham on Monday. Confirming the player's situation, Alonso said: "Yes, so we expect that he's involved. He has trained, he's training really well, he's a good professional and he will be involved."

Keeping the best players at Chelsea

Fernandez was warmly received by Chelsea fans when he entered the action at Craven Cottage, after previously being booed during a pre-season friendly at Stamford Bridge following his controversial role in Argentina's World Cup semi-final win over England.

Asked whether he wanted to keep Fernandez at the club, Alonso admitted Chelsea would need to judge the situation carefully. Alonso said: "We want to have the best team possible. We know his qualities. He has shown it and we have to wait, but we will think about tomorrow and let's see how things develop." Manchester City are expected to lodge another offer before the September 1 deadline.

Potential midfield replacements for Fernandez

If Fernandez leaves, Chelsea are prepared to return for Bournemouth's Alex Scott. Bournemouth have so far resisted all interest, but there is a feeling that an offer above £80m, and likely nearer to £90m, could force a rethink. Alonso did not want to be drawn on whether a Fernandez sale would hinge on Chelsea being able to sign a replacement.

Alonso said: "It is always about understanding the context, the situation, timings, circumstances, so there is not a defined rule for everything. You need to know how things have worked, what you want, what you want for the future, so I don't have the rules in stone. We need to assess each situation."

What next for Fernandez and Chelsea?

Chelsea's immediate attention is on Thursday's Carabao Cup game against Luton Town, where Fernandez is fully expected to play. After that fixture, Alonso and his squad will turn to important Premier League matches. At the same time, Manchester City are in a race against the clock to put forward an acceptable bid for Fernandez before the transfer window closes next week.