Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Chelsea’s hope of setting Man City a deadline for Enzo Fernandez has not gone to plan. The saga around the Argentine remains, and Chelsea may have to replace him before the end of the window.
The Blues set City a 5pm deadline last Friday in an attempt to either sell Fernandez and have time to replace him, or end the saga and focus Fernandez on another season in blue. That hasn’t happened.
Enzo Fernandez reaction on Chelsea return
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City remain interested, and the imminent sales of Rodri to Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiyah mean Enzo Maresca’s side have an influx of cash coming in. They are also set to sign Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Chelsea, ultimately, will have to plan for a future without Fernandez, and that includes compiling a list of potential signings. Morgan Gibbs-White has been linked, but a Roma midfielder is also being targeted.
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Chelsea remain interested in Manu Kone as price tag emerges
Alex Scott and Adam Wharton remain long-term targets for Chelsea, but Italian media have suggested Chelsea remain part of the chasing pack for Manu Kone. Gazzetta Dello Sport reported it on Sunday.
Kone was a regular for France at the World Cup, but due to Roma’s financial situation, the Serie A giants are having to cash in. Chelsea were linked with Kone during the World Cup and are clearly keeping tabs.
France v Iraq -World Cup
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Renowned for his passing, his ability to dribble through a press from deep, and his ability to get the odd goal or assist, Kone could be the ideal signing for Chelsea if Fernandez does end up leaving West London.
GDS say Chelsea are not the only side tracking Kone. Manchester United are also keen, as are a handful of Saudi Pro League sides. Atletico Madrid saw a £37m bid rejected, with Roma requesting £43m.
Patrick Vieira has explained why Chelsea and others want Kone
While Kone might lack the attacking expertise of Fernandez, Xabi Alonso might prefer a slightly more defensive midfielder in his 3-4-2-1 system. Alongside Moises Caicedo, he requires a double pivot.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
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A player who can do a bit of both. There’s no doubt that Fernandez can, but the Argentine is better going forward than he is defensively. Kone is able to do both sides of the game and that suits Alonso more.
It would give Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers freedom. Patrick Vieira said during the World Cup that Kone is the “best midfielder in France”. It makes a £43m deal an absolute bargain in the current climate.
It might not be the signing that Chelsea fans would love – a Scott, a Wharton or a Gibbs-White – but it is a necessary one. At just £43m, Chelsea would have £80m left in the pot after the sale of Fernandez, too.