Alonso confident in Chelsea midfield depth

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has expressed confidence in his squad's midfield depth ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Arsenal, following the club's failure to secure a replacement for Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day. Fernandez completed a British record-equalling £125 million move to Manchester City, but Chelsea's attempt to sign Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara for £47 million collapsed when the French club withdrew from the agreement. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso emphasized that the club is prepared to move forward. "With Enzo, we have had conversations, but always with respect as well. What he has done for the club, it has been great, and we are thankful, but now it is time to move forward," he stated. The manager described the summer transfer window as the completion of "phase one" of the club's rebuild, noting that ten new first-team players were signed. Alonso highlighted the options available to him, including Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson, and club captain Reece James. He also pointed to academy prospects Reggie Watson and Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli as players who will be in his thinking.