Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madridplaceholder image
Enzo Fernandez has been linked with a blockbuster move to Real Madrid | Getty Images
Rumours suggest that Real Madrid want to bring Enzo Fernandez to the Bernabeu - but how would Chelsea go about replacing him?
It’s been almost two and half years since Chelsea splashed out a British record £106m on Benfica wonderkid Enzo Fernandez.
The Argentine international arrived at Stamford Bridge after winning the World Cup, signing a lengthy eight and half year deal with The Blues. He initially took time to settle in English football but over the course of the last 15 months has started to prove he really is an elite footballer.
He’s scored 12 goals since the start of the last season and has contributed 18 assists across all competitions, winning the Conference League and Club World Cup while once again earning Chelsea a seat at Europe’s elite table by securing Champions League qualification.
However, less than a quarter of the way through his Chelsea contract, he’s now believed to be attracting serious interest from Spanish side Real Madrid. The capital side, now managed by Xabi Alonso, are in the process of a mini rebuild after missing out on any form of silverware during Carlo Ancelotti’s final season in the club, and have earmarked Fernandez as a player that could help inspire the next generation to glory.
Journalist Peter O’Rourke explains: “Real Madrid are long-term admirers of Enzo Fernandez. They were interested before he did make that move to Chelsea and we know with Real Madrid being constantly linked with players, [it] can maybe turn a player’s head or unsettle them as well.”
Real Madrid are regarded as one of if not the biggest club in world football. They have proven throughout their history that they have serious pulling power and an unrivalled ability to attract the biggest stars.
They most recently convinced boyhood Liverpool fan Trent Alexander-Arnold to pack his bags and leave Anfield for a chance to play at the Bernabeu while they’ve flexed their muscles with Chelsea in the past by signing both Antonio Rudiger and Eden Hazard in the last decade.
Could Enzo Fernandez leave Chelsea in January?
Enzo Fernandez, at this moment, is playing arguably the best football of his career so far and is central to Enzo Maresca’s plans of securing silverware. He’s scoring on a regular basis from midfield and has formed a formidable partnership with Moises Caicedo in recent months.
The former Benfica man still has more than six years to run on his Chelsea contract and is unlikely to leave for anything less than the £106m the Blues splashed out for him in January 2023. Therefore the likelihood of a transfer is fairly low. But Real Madrid are masters at attracting the biggest stars and could potentially test the waters with an offer in January.
“I’m sure Real Madrid will continue to keep tabs on Enzo Fernandez. A lot will depend on the player and what he wants to do,” added Peter O’Rourke
“It seems he’s happy and content with life at Chelsea and Chelsea are happy with Enzo Fernandez who has been playing in a bit more of an attacking role under Enzo Maresca.
“He’s really impressed in that role as well. So given how well, he’s performed for Chelsea with such a long contract in place, I could not imagine that Chelsea would look to sell him unless somebody was able to make an offer well in excess of what Chelsea paid for him. Although Real Madrid do seem like they are interested, it seems a difficult deal to do.”
How would Chelsea replace Enzo Fernandez if he was to depart?
If Chelsea were to lose Enzo Fernandez it would leave a huge void in the team and add further pressure on Moises Caicedo to control the midfield battle. Romeo Lavia could potentially step up but hasn’t yet been able to string together a run of games due to persistent injuries. Meanwhile, Dário Essugo, who was signed by Sporting CP is yet to get on the pitch once in the league since arriving over the summer.
Most likely, Chelsea would look to invest in that position and add quality. One possible target reportedly being considered is Khephren Thuram, according to TBR Football.
The Juventus man has recently broken into the French national team after establishing himself as a formidable force in Italian football. He’s renowned for his excellent strength, agility, stamina and sensational passing ability.
Khephren, son of World Cup winner Lillian Thuram, has scored six and provided nine assists in 58 appearances for Juventus, and was included in the Serie A team of the season last term.
He only cost Juventus around £20m when they brought him in from Nice in the summer of 2024 but is now likely to be worth considerably more than that, with Arsenal and Liverpool also making enquiries.
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