Enzo Fernandez’s relationship with his Chelsea teammates had deteriorated significantly in the weeks before his £125m British record-equalling move to Manchester City. It is understood the Argentina midfielder had become distinctly isolated from the squad well before the deal was completed on deadline day.
A Levi Colwill Instagram story last month showed the 25-year-old with his arms folded and a serious face as his colleagues celebrated in a picture from a Cobham training session. The image was shared widely amongst supporters and was seen as proof of an irreparable fracture between the vice-captain and the dressing room.
That feeling was further accentuated when the transfer was completed, and none of the Chelsea players who have stayed at the club this season publicly wished Fernandez well. It was a glaring omission, given the outpouring of farewell messages from that same squad when Enzo Maresca left the head coach position on New Year’s Day.
Fernandez is also believed to have kept in regular contact with Maresca since the Italian’s acrimonious exit from Stamford Bridge. That long-term relationship proved key, with Maresca, now installed at the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s successor, the man most keen on the signing.
The rift had been brewing since last campaign, when reports suggested several colleagues were unimpressed with his behaviour during a run of four straight defeats. Chelsea then suspended him for two matches in April, a punishment meted out by then-head coach Liam Rosenior after the midfielder publicly questioned his future. He leaves West London having scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in 119 Premier League games, with Conference League and Club World Cup wins in 2025 on his CV.
Xabi Alonso is facing a Chelsea midfield vacuum following Enzo Fernandez’s exit
The departure of Fernandez has left Xabi Alonso with a severely depleted engine room to negotiate in the formative weeks of the campaign. Chelsea had earmarked Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara as the heir apparent, but the principality club reneged on the deal as the transfer window closed.
Adding to the problems was the injury to Moises Caicedo in the 4-3 victory against Brighton, while Jordan Henderson was also unavailable for selection. Alonso has therefore had to adapt, with recognised full-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto now filling central positions.
The implications were obvious at the Emirates Stadium on 6 September when Chelsea succumbed to a 1-2 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Arsenal. That game brought an end to Alonso’s perfect start and left the Blues fourth in the Premier League table. With no way to bring in more players until January, midfielders Romeo Lavia and Valentin Barco have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders moving forward.