Fernandez’s Future at Chelsea Uncertain Amid Transfer Speculation

The future of Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea is currently a topic of considerable interest, as discussions suggest he may be on the move. Reports indicate that Chelsea no longer regards the Argentine midfielder as “untouchable” and would consider a sale for the “right price.”

Both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as potential suitors, eager to bolster their squads with a world-class midfielder. Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a staggering £106.8 million ($131 million) in 2023, will not come cheap if he departs again. He is reportedly “considering his future” following the recent departure of head coach Enzo Maresca.

New Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior, has addressed the transfer rumors and expressed his views on Fernandez. He stated, “It means nothing to me. When you’re a world-class player, speculation is unavoidable. Enzo has been outstanding during my time working with him. Despite being ill on Saturday, his remarkable performance surprised me. He remains a Chelsea player, and I hope to build a successful working relationship with him in both the short and long term.”

Rosenior also elaborated on Fernandez’s potential roles within the team, noting, “Because of his exceptional skill set—his technical ability, his capability to cover ground, his goal-scoring, and his timing in the box—he can fulfill various positions. I need to identify the chemistry surrounding his role in relation to the entire squad. I don’t confine players to a single position; I have always utilized them in diverse roles, and I plan to do the same with Enzo.”

Currently, Fernandez is enjoying a strong season with Chelsea, although he may miss the upcoming Champions League match against Pafos at Stamford Bridge due to a virus affecting several players in the squad. Rosenior provided an update, stating, “Enzo trained today, but none of the players are at 100 percent. The illness is quite severe. We’ll assess Enzo’s condition tomorrow based on how he performs in training. He was unwell yesterday and missed practice, which was evident during his game against Brentford.”

Additionally, Rosenior commented on Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, members of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad.’ He noted, “We are currently in conversations with Raheem regarding various aspects of his career, and we hope to have clarity in the coming days.”

Regarding Disasi, Rosenior mentioned, “I had a productive meeting with him recently. When I joined, I told the players it would be a clean slate for everyone, so I felt it was important to engage in a conversation with him. It was beneficial for him to rejoin the group. Given his past circumstances, he is behind in match fitness, but we will continue to work diligently with him to get him back on track.”

Rosenior will lead Chelsea in a Champions League match for the first time on Wednesday, as they face Cypriot side Pafos. This match marks the Blues’ penultimate game of the group phase, with Rosenior’s team set to visit Napoli for their final fixture the following week. The new manager hopes to secure automatic qualification and avoid the playoff route, stating, “It would be optimal; it would be fantastic. As a new manager, having those extra training days is crucial for development.”