This summer promises to be another window in which the turnover of players at Chelsea is plentiful. Enzo Fernandez has opened the door to a potential exit, and Craig Burley has responded.
Chelsea’s hammering to PSG on Tuesday night was eye-opening. With Todd Boehly in attendance, the Blues were easily beaten 3-0 on the night and 8-2 on aggregate. It highlighted Chelsea’s problems.
With a total of £1.5bn spent so far since Boehly completed his takeover of Chelsea in 2022, the Blues have not made progress in terms of standing in the Premier League. They are well off being title challengers.
DISCUSS: Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City 😱
Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City rumour
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Tuesday night was frustrating. The atmosphere was excellent, yet individual mistakes cost Chelsea once again. For Fernandez, the anger was clear, berating his teammates before coming off on the hour mark.
What Enzo Fernandez said and Craig Burley’s verdict on his future
Speaking to Argentine media after Chelsea’s defeat, Fernandez failed to close the door on a potential exit. He said: “I don’t know, there are 8 games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see”.
It has caused frustration among Chelsea’s fans, for two reasons. One, because Fernandez remains one of the club’s best players, but also, because many felt his attitude was poor against the reigning champions.
Speaking on ESPN, former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley was asked about Fernandez’s comments and he said that the World Cup winner is well within his rights – but did also described him as a “cry baby”.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea
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“That’s his choice, like every player. He’s a good player, but a bit of a cry-baby on the field. If you look at it from a serious player’s perspective. The club is hiring and firing managers,” Burley said on Fernandez.
“Then they bring in this young guy [Rosenior] who is inexperienced and there is already talk about him being under pressure from the boardroom. His rhetoric is not helping, the results aren’t helping.
“So maybe he has aspirations of going to play in Spain or somewhere else? I have no problem with that. Hasn’t he got a long contract? It’s not really his choice, then,” Burley summarised, on the Chelsea star.
Which clubs want Fernandez and what Rosenior said…
Rosenior kept his cards close to his chest when immediately asked about Fernandez’s comments, stating that he had not heard the full transcript and would not comment until he had done so. Smart move.
How much would Enzo Fernandez cost if Chelsea tried to buy him today? 🤔 💰
A goalscoring midfielder is a rare commodity ⚽️
Jamie Carragher quote on Enzo Fernandez
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
But there is a clear push for Fernandez to leave. A player who has won the World Cup will want to win silverware and the last 16 of the Champions League is not enough. There are clubs showing interest.
Indeed, PSG, Real Madrid and two unknown Saudi sides are all said to have made contact with the star’s representatives. For now, Fernandez remains a key part of this Chelsea side but that could change.
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