With PSG winning the Champions League final against Arsenal, the season is now finally over. It was another one to forget for Chelsea. Now, the focus of the footballing world will turn towards the World Cup. That being said, the Blues have a lot to work on this summer, especially with Xabi Alonso coming in as the new manager.
The arrival of Alonso has come with the promise that this is a new era for Chelsea. One in which BlueCo will take a step back and allow the manager to have more say on matters, something that the Spaniard’s did not have.
It will be very interesting to see what kind of players Chelsea sign this summer. That would be a major clue on how much Alonso is actually being listened to. But on the other hand, there are quite a few who could be heading for the exit door as well after four unsuccessful seasons.
One of them is Enzo Fernandez, who joined in early 2023, soon after his World Cup triumph. As the next one rolls around, it has felt like Chelsea have moved around in circles all that time without much success. And according to ESPN, while the Blues expect him to report for preseason training, speculation is mounting that the Argentine midfielder could formally ask to leave the club.
Chelsea have made their Enzo Fernandez plan clear
Of course, it is Chelsea who hold most of the cards in this situation. Fernandez is believed to have a contract that runs until the summer of 2032.
That being said, if the player starts to actively push for a move away, it will be difficult to keep him. That is just modern football. When a player decides to leave, it almost always ends up happening.
It is also worth pointing out that Chelsea have not seemed completely closed to the idea of Fernandez leaving. On the contrary, it looks like they have already made it clear what they want.
It has been suggested that Chelsea will be looking for a transfer fee in the region of £120 million to part ways with Fernandez. But which clubs could even afford to make a move for that magnitude?
Who could sign Fernandez this summer?
Real Madrid are the ones to be most consistently linked with him over the years. But it will depend on the future of Florentino Perez as president.
On the other hand, Man City have been suggested as a possible destination as well. That is largely due to the impending arrival of Enzo Maresca. But it has been suggested they want Elliot Anderson.
Then there are PSG. They have been linked with Fernandez for a little while as well. But those rumours have always been played down.
There have been some loose links with Arsenal this week as well. But to be honest, I do not feel that there might be much to those at all.
All things considered, it is hard to imagine that too many teams would be willing to make a move for that magnitude for Fernandez. So, do not be surprised if he remains in a Chelsea jersey beyond this campaign. Perhaps the arrival of Alonso would be enough to help settle the situation and convince him to continue at Stamford Bridge.