Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
It is going to be quite embarrassing if Chelsea allow Enzo Fernandez to join Manchester City.
They gave their Premier League rivals a deadline to sign the 25-year-old, which was not met. Any U-turn now would be humiliating for the club, but that would not be the biggest issue.
Fernandez is one of the best midfielders in the world. How do Chelsea plan on replacing him, especially this late in the transfer window?
It was always going to be tricky to find a successor, but it is going to be nearly impossible now. No one is going to want to sell one of their top midfielders, who could replace Fernandez, with the market closing very soon. They know it will also be too late for them to find their own midfield signing.
Crystal Palace have already briefed that Adam Wharton is not for sale, and he is one midfielder who is thought to be on Chelsea’s shortlist of potential replacements for Fernandez.
Alex Scott is the midfielder the Blues want, though. Earlier in the summer, Chelsea had an offer for Scott rejected.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea passes the ball whilst under pressure from Alex Scott of AFC Bournemouth
Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Like Wharton, Scott is also not for sale, according to his club Bournemouth. If that was the case last month, imagine what Bournemouth’s stance is today. There is no chance that they are going to let the 23-year-old join Chelsea now.
Others are keeping hold of their star midfielders, so should Chelsea this late in the transfer window.
READ MORE:David Ornstein gives Enzo Fernandez transfer saga update ahead of Chelsea vs Fulham
All in all, Fernandez is a very valuable asset, and it will now be interesting to see what Xabi Alonso does with the Argentine while the threat of an exit remains.
Chelsea take on Fulham at Craven Cottage on Monday night in their opening fixture of the new Premier League season. Whether he plays or not could be a major indication of what the future holds for him.