Enzo Fernandez completed a British record £125m move from Chelsea to Manchester City on deadline day. According to the latest news, his relationship with several Chelsea team-mates had broken down long before the switch was finalised.
Two transfer requests from Enzo Fernandez
Chelsea received two written transfer requests from Fernandez during a tense final week of the summer window. As reported by The Telegraph, the club were told he no longer felt close to any of his team-mates. This detail stood out because Fernandez had been serving as Chelsea’s vice-captain.
A training-ground photo taken last month showed Enzo Fernandez standing apart from his smiling team-mates. After his move was confirmed, none of the Chelsea players sent him public messages. Fernandez was also left out of Chelsea’s last two matchday squads before the deal was completed.
Chelsea held firm on their valuation throughout the window. The club had originally set a fee of around £120m, well above Manchester City’s opening offer of £102.5m. Chelsea then raised their demands once City missed an internal deadline to agree a fee. The London club also had a chance to end the deal after their own move for Monaco’s Lamine Camara collapsed. They chose to honour their agreement with Man City rather than pull out at the final hour.
Fernandez’s stats in the 2025-26 season at Chelsea, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Appearances Goals Assists
Premier League 36 10 4
FA Cup 4 2 1
EFL Cup 4 0 0
UCL 10 3 2
How the relationship started to unravel
Fernandez’s push to leave Chelsea began long before deadline day, with his future in question since March. His agent, Javier Pastore, later said the midfielder felt underpaid following a difficult campaign at Chelsea. He was suspended for two matches in April over comments about wanting to live in Madrid. That suspension meant he missed a home defeat against Manchester City, the club he later joined in the Premier League.
He celebrated a goal in that game by pointing to his Club World Cup badge, though Chelsea lost 5-2. It was after the second leg, a 3-0 defeat, that he first spoke publicly about wanting a change. Fernandez was still one of Chelsea’s most productive players last season, with 15 goals and seven assists.
As reported by Daily Mail, Fernandez stayed in close contact with Enzo Maresca after the Italian left his role as Chelsea head coach. He had publicly spoken out against Maresca’s exit. Once Maresca took charge at Manchester City, he made Fernandez his top summer transfer target. The move was ironic, since Alonso had reportedly picked Fernandez as one of five key players to build around.
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Neto’s loyalty and Chelsea’s midfield options
Pedro Neto took a very different path despite also attracting interest from Manchester City. The winger turned down interest from Saudi Arabia and chose to fight for his place under Xabi Alonso. He has started the season strongly, scoring against both Leeds United and Brighton. As a reward for his form and loyalty, Chelsea handed Neto a new contract running until 2032.
Fernandez left Benfica for Chelsea in 2023, in a deal worth around £107m. Benfica were reportedly angered by the nature of that exit, even though two details set it apart from this summer’s saga. He held a release clause and at 22 years old, he was not yet a leadership figure within the squad.
Alonso still has five recognised midfield options, including Moises Caicedo, Reece James and Jordan Henderson. Injuries have limited his choices over the past week, but most players should return once the international break ends. Chelsea are expected to reassess their midfield before the January window opens.
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