Xabi Alonso names two Chelsea players he refuses to sell after signing contract

Xabi Alonso has already identified the two players that he wants to keep at Chelsea after signing to be the club's new manager.

After weeks of speculation following the sacking of former boss Liam Rosenior, Chelsea have finally appointed their replacement in ex-Real Madrid manager Alonso.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked to both Chelsea and Liverpool but ultimately has opted to sign with the Blues, penning a four‑year contract which will start in July.

"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club," Alonso said.

Upon his arrival, it is expected that Alonso will be given significantly more power than his recent predecessors, as reflected in his official title being manager and not head coach.

And it appears that one of his first priorities will be to keep two of the club's star players at the club amid reports that they could leave during the upcoming summer transfer window.

As reported by Chelsea FC journalist Simon Phillips, Alonso has already started talking to many of his new players and has made it clear that he wants both Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella to be a key part of his squad.

In recent weeks, both Cucurella and Fernandez have been heavily linked with moves to Spain to join La Liga giants during the summer window.

While speaking on the Solo para Cules podcast, El Chiringuito’s Jota Jordi claimed that Cucurella will return to Spain with both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid his two main options.

"Starting Monday, some movement from Barca to his representatives is expected, and from there we can tell you more," Jordi said.

"Obviously, today I could say with 1000 per cent certainty that Cucurella won’t play for Chelsea. He’ll play here in Spain, there are two clubs, Barca and Atletico Madrid, and I hope and wish that Barca makes the right moves so that he ends up playing for Barca."

The comments come after Cucurella himself admitted in March that a move to Barcelona would be 'hard to turn down' causing concerns amongst Chelsea fans.

Meanwhile Fernandez has long been lined with Real Madrid, and was recently given an internal suspension by the club after comments that appeared to hint at a desire to join the Spanish giants.

The Chelsea vice-captain said that he would "like" and then would "love" to live in Madrid, while admitting his admiration for Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos while on International duty with Argentina.

Florentino Perez to target Enzo Fernandez ahead of Real Madrid election

It appears that Fernandez may yet get his chance to make the move to Madrid as Real Madrid President Perez is believed to be targeting the midfielder as a key signing as he runs for reelection for the club's leadership

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Spanish Journalist Latigo Serrano said: “Florentino Perez’s third electoral appeal would obviously be a footballer, and one of those footballers that Real Madrid needs in the position where everyone knows the team has had the greatest deficiencies and problems, which is the central midfield.

“This electoral card that Florentino Perez would most likely present, he wouldn’t do so explicitly because it’s a player with a valid contract and no release clause, but he would hint that if he is president of Real Madrid, Enzo Fernandez would be a Real Madrid player.

“He can’t say that publicly because he risks Chelsea saying ‘No, Enzo Fernandez is a Chelsea player and he is not for sale’ but Florentino Perez already knows that Enzo Fernandez wants to leave Chelsea. He knows that Enzo Fernandez wants to play for Real Madrid.”