If things were a disaster going into the international break at Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez has helped ensure the nightmare has continued – and Paul Merson has weighed in on the situation.
The story at Chelsea was already a bad one. Four straight defeats, seven defeats in 19 under Liam Rosenior and with Man City and Man United up next in the league, a top-five place feels unlikely.
That, in turn, has led to calls for Rosenior to be sacked. After 19 games, Graham Potter had lost 17 matches as Chelsea manager. He lasted only 12 more matches before Todd Boehly axed Potter.
What should Liam Rosenior do with Enzo Fernandez?🤔
It's getting ridiculous now!
Enzo Fernandez wants to live in Madrid amid Chelsea speculation
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Despite the run of form, Rosenior might have hoped the international break would come and take some of the spotlight off. But Fernandez has flirted with Real Madrid throughout, almost embarrassingly.
Paul Merson makes Enzo Fernandez prediction amid transfer saga
After the PSG game, Fernandez said he was open to an exit. Then, during the break, Fernandez has said he would like to live in Madrid, and picked Toni Kroos as one of his favourite footballers, dropping hints.
Reports say Madrid is Fernandez’s dream club. Writing in his Sports Keeda column, Merson says that he does not think Fernandez is a £100m player, and is confident Chelsea will not reduce his price tag.
Argentina v Zambia - International Friendly
Photo by Federico Peretti/NurPhoto via Getty Images
“With the World Cup also coming up this summer, some of the top players around the world will look to use that tournament as a platform to impress other teams and seal a transfer,” Merson wrote this week.
“Enzo isn’t worth £100 million unless Argentina win the World Cup again. I doubt Chelsea will concede a loss while approving his exit. That could make the Real Madrid switch difficult in my opinion,” he added.
Reports suggest Merson is right about Fernandez’s future
There is no doubting that Madrid need midfielders this summer, and with Chelsea struggling, it makes sense that the likes of Fernandez and Moises Caicedo have been linked. But Chelsea have power, too.
FINAL: Who do YOU think should be Chelsea manager next season?
Fernandez is contracted into the 2030s, as is Caicedo. They are under no pressure to sell them, even if Fernandez starts to kick up a stink. But there is another reason, and it is a Real Madrid problem.
Reports from Spain say that Madrid could never afford Fernandez while his price tag remains close to the £107m Chelsea paid Benfica in 2023 for the midfielder. Despite his hints, Fernandez is set to remain.
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