Chelsea’s decision to sell Enzo Fernández for £125 million has left Xabi Alonso with a midfield problem that the club failed to solve before the transfer window closed. The intended replacements, Lamine Camara and Manu Koné, did not materialise, leaving Chelsea to work with the players already in the squad.

The problem has become more serious because Moisés Caicedo and Jordan Henderson are currently dealing with injuries, while Romeo Lavia’s persistent fitness problems make him difficult to rely on for an entire season. Enzo’s absence is not simply about losing another midfielder either. He played 3,115 Premier League minutes last season, starting 35 games, and contributed 10 goals and four assists.

Caicedo remains the most important piece. He can provide defensive security, ball-winning and transition play, but expecting him to perform both his usual role and everything Enzo provided would be unrealistic. Henderson offers experience, but should be viewed as squad depth rather than Enzo’s replacement. Lavia has the technical ability to control games from deep, but his injury record means Chelsea cannot build their entire midfield around his availability.

That leaves Alonso with some unconventional solutions. Reece James can play centrally and offers passing, physicality and tactical intelligence, but he is not a designated midfielder. Valentín Barco could also be important because of his versatility and senior experience. But neither player should be expected to single-handedly replace Enzo.

Can the Academy and Arsenal Test Provide the Answer?

Chelsea’s academy provides exciting possibilities, but it cannot realistically be the complete answer.

Reggie Walsh is one of the club’s most promising young midfielders, but he is currently on loan at Wigan Athletic, meaning he is not an immediate solution unless Chelsea recall him. Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli is another hugely promising talent, having already made history in the UEFA Youth League and impressed during pre-season. But he is still only 15 and is primarily an attacking midfielder. Reggie Watson, a natural central midfielder, could arguably be more relevant to the current problem, but at 16 he also cannot be expected to carry a Premier League midfield.

The immediate test comes against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday. Both teams have won their opening two league games, but Chelsea head into the game with Caicedo a serious doubt and Henderson unavailable.

That makes Arsenal more than just another early-season fixture. It is the first major examination of whether Alonso can compensate for the loss of Enzo with what he currently has. Arsenal’s ability to control possession and dictate the tempo could expose Chelsea’s lack of natural midfield depth, particularly if Caicedo cannot play.

Chelsea therefore have enough quality to survive the situation, but very little margin for further injuries. The realistic solution is collective: Caicedo returning to fitness, Lavia contributing when available, Barco and James taking on additional responsibility, and Alonso adapting tactically.

The academy can help, but it cannot be expected to save the season. And Sunday’s trip to Arsenal could provide the clearest early indication of just how serious Chelsea’s midfield problem really is.