Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Chelsea’s firm stance on Enzo Fernandez’s future puts them at risk of repeating the Alexander Isak saga which took place at Newcastle United.
Fernandez made it clear before last season even ended that he had a desire to play in Madrid next season, however Jose Mourinho’s side have not reached out with a genuine offer.
His current best bet of getting out of Stamford Bridge is a move to Manchester City, reuniting with former manager Enzo Maresca at their Premier League rivals.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
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Chelsea risking Alexander Isak repeat with Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea have set Friday as a deadline for City to match their £120m valuation of the midfielder, with him seemingly set to stay at the club if that offer doesn’t come in.
Going directly against Fernandez’s requests puts the Blues in a risky position – there is the chance he would decide he does not want to play for Chelsea and force their hand into selling him.
Chelsea FC Training Session
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This worked for Alexander Isak 12 months ago when he was at Newcastle, forcing himself into a move to Liverpool and leaving the Magpies scratching about for a replacement late in the transfer window.
They landed on Yoanne Wissa and Nick Woltermade, however they were unable to replace Isak suitably last year which led to their bottom-half finish in the Premier League.
Chelsea's pre-season results
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Chelsea will struggle to sign a new midfielder this summer
Chelsea need to be careful about needing to find a late replacement for the Argentine, with the midfield market already exploding and plenty of big moves being made.
If the Blues were forced to invest again, it would likely be either Alex Scott or Adam Wharton they pushed to sign. They have already had a bid rejected for Scott this summer.
However, late in the window any club will be desperate to keep hold of their current players, making any late attempts to sign a partner for Moises Caicedo very difficult to pull off.
Trust in Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo looks limited, and Jordan Henderson has been signed predominantly for his leadership off the pitch.
After a settled pre-season under Alonso, the last thing he will want is for the club to put him in a position where he has one less world-class player to choose from.