Despite both Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez establishing themselves as the heartbeat of the Chelsea midfield, the club’s hierarchy has rejected immediate requests for improved terms.
As much as everyone loves a transfer as football fans, it’s equally as important to tie down players who are already proving their worth at Chelsea.
Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are two of those players. Both are two of the first names on the team sheet under Liam Rosenior, with the latter operating in a more advanced role.
Fernandez has already shared his delight at his new advanced position under the new Chelsea boss, which gives him more freedom.
And while Caicedo hasn’t been at his best since Rosenior took charge, there’s no denying his importance at the base of that Chelsea midfield.
However, Chelsea’s mid-season policy is currently stopping their contract demands.
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Mamadou Sarr in his Chelsea training top at Cobham as he begins to make an impression on the coaching staff.
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Chelsea won’t offer any new deal until the end of the season
In a report from The Athletic, it is stated that several senior players, including Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, are keen to negotiate improved terms with the club.
However, the club is determined to maintain a policy of not renegotiating deals during the season. And their reasoning behind this is to ensure focus remains on the pitch.
One factor is that most of the contracts at Stamford Bridge are heavily incentivised with significant wage drops if the club is not involved in the Champions League, which still isn’t confirmed yet.
Interestingly, it has been claimed separately that Trevoh Chalobah could even be one to be sold.
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Estevao Willian dribbling stat
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Chelsea is playing a brave game with contracts
By refusing to engage in mid-season contract talks with Fernandez and Caicedo, Chelsea’s hierarchy is playing a risky game.
To put it into perspective, the club’s case-by-case stance, centered on a refusal to renegotiate until Champions League football is mathematically secured, is a safeguard against the heavily incentivised wage structures that are currently in place.
While the board aims to keep the squad focused on the pitch, the delay creates an opportunity for frustration to grow. With PSG and Real Madrid already showing an interest in Fernandez, the gamble is that these senior players will remain content with their current terms while the club waits for clarity.
If Chelsea fail to bridge the gap to the top four, they may find that their refusal to talk in February has left them with a disgruntled core by June.
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