Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Fulham and Chelsea FC at Craven Cottage on August 24, 2026 in London, England
Enzo Fernandez could soon leave Chelsea(Image: Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The Chelsea sporting leadership team are in a race against time to resolve the future of Enzo Fernandez...
Eager to finalise preparations for the new Premier League season and leave ample time to sign a replacement, football.london understands that the Blues set a deadline of 5pm on Friday, August 14, for potential suitors to pay the 25-year-old midfielder's asking price of £120million.
Despite interest from Manchester City, with Enzo Maresca keen to reunite with Fernandez at the Etihad Stadium, Chelsea didn't receive any bids. It's understood that the Argentina international remains a target of the Cityzens ahead of deadline day.
As it stands, it remains to be seen whether Manchester City make an official approach for Fernandez before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Tuesday, September 1, but noise from up north suggests that may well be the case.
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So, with that being said, journalists at football.london have debated how Chelsea should handle the Argentine in the coming days.
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Jake Stokes
Chelsea just need to part ways with Enzo Fernandez before it gets ugly. On paper, the Blues would be much better positioned to compete on all fronts with the 25-year-old alongside Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park, but it appears as if his head is no longer at Stamford Bridge.
Following Monday night's win over Fulham at Craven Cottage, Fernandez joined the rest of the squad in applauding the travelling support. Standing next to Valentin Barco, the Argentina international lingered at the back of the pack before leaving to head down the tunnel.
Fernandez looked rather sombre as he left the field, as if he had already emotionally disconnected from the project in west London. Although it would be great to see Xabi Alonso try to reignite the Argentine's flame, he would be fighting a losing battle.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez faces an uncertain end to the summer transfer window(Image: Ryan Pierse)
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It's disappointing because a large section of the match-going fanbase has already proved they're ready to back Fernandez. Those in the Matthew Harding and Shed End leapt to the midfielder's defence when he was booed upon his return to Stamford Bridge, singing his name.
Those in the away end on Monday night chanted his name on a couple of occasions, too! Ultimately, though, Chelsea cannot afford to allow the saga to disrupt preparations in training or performances on the pitch.
Alonso shouldn't be expected to fix a problem that he didn't create, and should therefore be afforded the luxury of starting from a clean slate. Fernandez, unfortunately, needs to be sold for the team's betterment. A fee of £120m will do, but I'd like to see the Blues try to charge Manchester City a premium for bidding after the unofficial deadline.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea interacts with fans as he arrives at the stadium before the pre-season friendly match between Chelsea and Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on August 15, 2026 in London, England
Enzo Fernandez faces an uncertain future at Chelsea(Image: Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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VERDICT: SELL!
Sam Truelove
Enzo Fernandez has somewhat already made his bed at Chelsea. His comments over the past few months, either via himself or his agent, have made it pretty clear that he wants out of the club. Truthfully, he wasn't even subtle about it!
The problem is there isn't too many clubs around who can pay the Blues' £120million asking price for the Argentine. Real Madrid and Man City are the obvious candidates and with Jose Mourinho's side ruling themselves out of the running, only City really remain.
If Enzo Maresca's men do stump up the cash, I would sell in a heartbeat. Xabi Alonso has already insisted he only wants players at the club who truly want to be there and Fernandez's omission from the starting line-up against Fulham speaks volumes in my opinion. Additionally, the midfielder's popularity in England is at an all-time low as it is given his actions at the World Cup with Argentina so I don't think he will be missed by too many in west London.
The problem Chelsea will have is getting a decent replacement and there is no doubt they will need one as you just can't rely on Romeo Lavia to stay fit at the minute. There will be market opportunities over the next week, though, so the Blues must not panic but a life without Fernandez beckons in my opinion.