Photo by Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Photo by Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s first big challenge as Man City manager came in the week, and his second came on Sunday. Both ended in failure, but both are surely set to result in one thing: Enzo Fernandez.
With the relationship between Man City and Chelsea strained after the saga that resulted in City paying Chelsea a fee of £17m for Maresca in compensation, Chelsea then set City a deadline earlier this week.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Manchester City
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
The Blues told City to pay up by 5pm on Friday if they wanted to sign £120m-rated Fernandez. Chelsea are looking to avoid more Fernandez drama when the Premier League season finally gets underway.
It is an unprecedented moment; no club has ever set another club a deadline in the transfer market, but City refused to meet Chelsea’s demands and no bid was made – despite reports that £102.5m was tabled.
Enzo Maresca’s second failure will surely convince Man City
The second failure came on Sunday, when Arsenal’s new-look midfield completely bypassed City’s in Maresca’s first game as Pep Guardiola’s replacement. The Community Shield ended 3-0 to Arsenal.
Arsenal v Manchester City - 2026 FA Community Shield
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
A dismal result for City, and now there are immediate concerns for life after Pep Guardiola. What was glaringly obvious was that City’s midfield lacked Arsenal’s control, grit and overall quality throughout.
City failed to meet Chelsea’s deadline, and Maresca watched his City side humiliated by Arsenal in Cardiff. Both failures point towards one thing: City are going to make one last push for Chelsea’s Fernandez.
The double pivot of Elliot Anderson and Mateo Kovacic simply did not work. Arsenal’s midfield ran over City in the middle of the park, even after the Gunners switched Bruno Guimaraes for Declan Rice.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
City fans are convinced on social media. If the Community Shield loss taught Maresca and City anything, it was that they need to bite the bullet and meet Chelsea’s asking price for Fernandez, before it is too late.
Man City are set to be awash with cash from midfield sales
If Chelsea fans needed more proof that City were set to go back again for the 2022 World Cup winner, then Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders are set to be sold. Barcelona and Al Qadsiyah are set to sign the duo.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
According to reports, Barcelona have made a third offer of £60m for Rodri, while Netherlands star Reijnders looks set to move to Brendan Rodgers’ Saudi Pro League side for a fee in the region of £50m.
That not only leaves City down by two in the midfield department, but also awash with cash and looking for replacements. The Community Shield performance is proof that Maresca and City need Fernandez.
The impending sales of Rodri and Reijnders give City the tools required to sign Fernandez. Chelsea would be naive if they believe City are going to stick by the deadline, expect the price tag to be met next week.