Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Reece James will continue as Chelsea captain for the upcoming season, while also declaring his desire to keep midfielder Enzo Fernandez at the club.

The new Chelsea manager — appointed in May after departing Real Madrid — began pre-season training this week, though he was working with a reduced group as several players are still competing at the World Cup.

James the captain, Fernandez the key man

Among those absent were James and Fernandez themselves, who are set to meet on the opposite sides of the pitch in England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday.

James, 26, has worn the armband since August 2023 and came through Chelsea's academy before establishing himself as a first-team regular. Injuries have disrupted much of his career at the club, yet he still made 39 appearances across all competitions last season and earned a place in England's World Cup squad.

Alonso spoke of the right-back with clear admiration in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News. "He can do everything," said Alonso. "He can attack from inside or outside. He can deliver, he's good at set-pieces, he has blue DNA, which is very important, and we transmit that to the whole team and new players. He's going to be the captain."

Fernandez, 25, joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for £106.8m — a British-record fee at the time — and produced his finest campaign yet last season, netting 10 Premier League goals and contributing four assists in 36 appearances. Links to Real Madrid emerged this summer, though the Spanish club publicly denied any interest. Alonso, who has already spoken to Fernandez privately, made his position clear.

"Enzo's a great player and we are looking forward to having him and start working together," he said.

Garnacho future uncertain, Jackson to join tour

Alonso confirmed that winger Alejandro Garnacho, 22, is attracting interest from other clubs. Garnacho did not participate in Chelsea's first training session of pre-season, and Sky Sports News has reported that the club are willing to sell him for £50m. Roma are among the sides understood to be monitoring the Argentine, according to Sky in Italy.

"The situation is that we have spoken with the sporting directors and there is an interest for him from other clubs," Alonso said. "So let's see how this develops. But hopefully, it finishes in the best possible way for all parties."

Striker Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, will feature on Chelsea's pre-season tour of Asia. "I look forward to starting with Nico at that time," Alonso added.

European ambition set as target

The Spaniard declined to make firm predictions about the season ahead but was clear that European qualification is a minimum expectation. "For sure that's a goal," he said. "But to reach that goal, you need to do many right things... We are ambitious and we in Chelsea need to share that energy, that ambition, as well as that hunger to want to have success."