Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez’s future is still up in the air just a week away from the new Premier League season, and Chelsea legend Frank Lampard’s previous thoughts on the player should stop any thoughts of a sale.
Fernandez has made it clear to the Blues that he would like a move away this summer, however only Manchester City remain as a viable option for him to join.
Chelsea have set a 5pm deadline on Friday for City to meet their £120m valuation, with the Blues seemingly open to the sale to Enzo Maresca’s side if that occurs.
Early in his career at Stamford Bridge, he worked under Lampard as an interim manager, and despite the club’s woeful form the quality of the Argentine shone through.
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Frank Lampard’s previous prediction for Enzo Fernandez amid Man City interest
Lampard told the Chelsea website in 2023 that he believed Fernandez would be central to the future of the club, after seeing what he is like in training and on the pitch.
He said: “He gets what’s required in training, he gets what’s required to be a Chelsea player, he’s got a high talent himself. Some players just get it. When you work with someone you understand it pretty quickly and he gets it. In terms of how he can affect the future, I think he’ll be central to the future.
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“My personal view of Enzo is that he could play in probably all the midfield roles, but I think seeing him train and play and getting a feeling for him, he probably has more to offer than to be a single-six, as much as he can play as a double-six, where he can join into the game more, and play as an eight, and offer the really good attributes he’s got across his game.”
Xabi Alonso on Marco Palestra
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Chelsea cannot afford to lose Fernandez to Man City
Fernandez’s influence on the Chelsea side has continued to increase as time has gone on, just like Lampard predicted.
The 2022 World Cup winner has frequently been the man for big moments at Stamford Bridge, scoring plenty of crucial goals.
His relationship with Maresca was strong when he was in charge in West London, and City will be on the lookout for a new midfielder if both Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders depart.
Chelsea are looking to get back to the top end of the Premier League table though, which is where City are, and selling one of their best players to them for any price would put a dent in their progress of doing just that.