Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Dave Howarth - CameraSport via Getty Images
On deadline day, Manchester City managed to sign Enzo Fernandez, whom Chelsea wanted to keep.
Fernandez divided the Chelsea fan base, but losing the 25-year-old so late in the transfer window was a blow.
Chelsea failed to bring in a replacement and looked light in midfield against Arsenal on Sunday. Whether Blues fans liked Fernandez or not, losing him to City would have hurt some egos in the boardroom, who could soon have another reason to be annoyed with their Premier League rivals.
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson
Man City could enter Lamine Camara race in 2027
Chelsea wanted Lamine Camara to be Fernandez’s successor and came close to making him that, but AS Monaco pulled the plug on his transfer to Stamford Bridge on deadline day. The Blues could now face competition from City if they go back in for him in the new year.
According to TEAMtalk, Chelsea remain interested in Camara but must now be wary of City and other suitors, who scouted the 22-year-old in Monaco’s shock 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain last Friday.
Chelsea had a very productive summer transfer window overall, but they had a miserable end to it because of City and Monaco.
City snatched one of their star players away from them, while Monaco spent the final hours of deadline day playing games. City could now frustrate Chelsea again by snapping up one of their top targets.
Lamine Camara of AS Monaco
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images
Chelsea needed Lamine Camara against Arsenal
It is a shame that Chelsea missed out on Camara. They were crying out for a midfielder like him in their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal over the weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s side cut through Chelsea’s midfield pretty easily. Usually, Moises Caicedo would be there to stop attacks.
However, Caicedo missed the Arsenal match because of injury, and Xabi Alonso did not really have another midfielder who is similar to the Ecuadorian in terms of style.
Camara is quite a good ball-winner and is currently averaging 6.7 tackles per game in Ligue 1, according to WhoScored. He would have been the ideal alternative to Caicedo at the Emirates.