Chelsea
Manchester City are looking at a move for Enzo Fernandez as Rodri edges closer to a return to Spain. The Chelsea transfer news comes with Enzo Maresca keen to reunite with a player he once coached at Stamford Bridge. City want fresh options in midfield before the new season begins.
City search for a Rodri replacement
Rodri has enjoyed a stunning year, helping Spain lift the World Cup before turning his attention back to a possible move home. As reported by The Athletic, Barcelona have edged ahead of Real Madrid in the race for his signature, and City are already planning for life without him in central midfield. The Spaniard has been City’s most trusted midfielder for several seasons, and replacing that kind of output and control is not a simple task in top level football.
Man City have already been busy strengthening their squad this summer. Elliot Anderson arrived from Nottingham Forest in a deal worth around £116 million, giving Maresca fresh legs in midfield. As reported by BBC, Bernardo Silva has already left for Real Madrid on a free transfer, joining up with Jose Mourinho’s squad for pre season, and that departure adds further pressure on City to bring in cover before the transfer window closes.
Fernandez, valued by Chelsea at around £120 million, would represent a significant outlay on top of that spending, but City appear ready to negotiate given how central a Rodri replacement is to their plans for the new season.
Fernandez’s stats in the 2025-26 season at Chelsea, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Appearances Goals Assists
Premier League 36 10 4
FA Cup 4 2 1
EFL Cup 4 0 0
UCL 10 3 2
Mixed World Cup form and Chelsea’s stance
Fernandez had a tournament of two halves at the World Cup. He was outstanding through the group stage and knockout rounds, scoring twice, including a crucial equaliser against England in the semi final. His night in the final turned sour, though, after picking up two yellow cards and an early red, a moment that cost Argentina badly in a tight defeat to Spain.
Back at club level, Fernandez has largely delivered for the Blues, even after a spell on the sidelines last season following comments he made about his future at the club. He contributed fifteen goals and seven assists in all competitions, numbers that few central midfielders in the Premier League can match. He has mostly played as a number ten or a box-to-box midfielder, though City could ask him to sit deeper at times, especially if Anderson is given freedom to push forward. Xabi Alonso, now in charge at Chelsea, is understood to view Fernandez as central to his plans.
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What happens next for Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea have shown interest of their own elsewhere, with a recent bid for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott turned down. The Cherries rejected an offer worth £64 million, and there has been no sign yet of an improved proposal from Stamford Bridge. It is a pursuit that points to Chelsea already planning for squad depth, separate from whatever happens with Enzo Fernandez.
Real Madrid could also enter the picture if their move for Rodri falls through, with Jose Mourinho reportedly open to a similar profile of midfielder. For now, Fernandez remains on holiday following the World Cup, though he shared footage this week of a solo training session as he prepares to return to Chelsea for pre season.
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