Rumours about Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez potentially joining Real Madrid refuse to go away.
It was recently claimed that Chelsea would actually listen to an offer for Fernandez if the 24-year-old asks for a move to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Fortunately for the Club World Cup winners, it does not look like the Argentine is going to do that.
He has been a very important player for Enzo Maresca this season, making 16 appearances in all competitions and scoring four goals.
Enzo Fernandez and Trevoh Chalobah celebrate after Tottenham vs Chelsea
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Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez rejects Real Madrid’s advances
According to journalist Aaron Ramiro, Real Madrid and their president Florentino Perez have made advances for Fernandez and have already held a “key meeting” with his entourage.
The good news for Chelsea supporters, though, is that Fernandez has allegedly turned the Spanish giants down.
Ramiro has also claimed that the Conference League holders are now discussing an improved contract for the Argentina international.
Chelsea signed Fernandez from Benfica in 2023, and the Portuguese club’s loss has certainly been their gain.
Alex Grimaldo recently spoke about Fernandez’s exit, claiming that Benfica could not cope with it.
You can never say never, but thankfully, Chelsea should not find themselves in a similar situation to Benfica any time soon based on the above.
Enzo Fernandez clapping after Chelsea win
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Enzo Fernandez deserves new contract
Fernandez’s current deal does not expire until 2032, but now may be an appropriate time to hand him a new one.
The World Cup winner is in excellent form and has probably been one of Chelsea’s best players since Maresca took over the club. He has come up with some big goals for them, including in last season’s Conference League final.
Even so, Wesley Fofana and Reece James still earn more money than Fernandez. According to Spotrac, the former is pocketing £200,000 a week and the latter £250,000 a week, while Fernandez’s deal is only worth £180,000 a week.
Fofana has barely played for the Blues since joining from Leicester City in 2022 because of injuries, while James is arguably not as important to Maresca’s team as Fernandez is at this moment in time. Right now, Malo Gusto appears to be Chelsea’s first-choice right-back.
Ultimately, Fernandez deserves to be on the kind of money that James and Fofana are on so should be offered a new contract.