Manchester City’s £125 million signing Enzo Fernandez submitted two written transfer requests to force a Chelsea exit after the relationship with his teammates broke down, according to new reports.
Enzo Fernandez pushed for a Chelsea exit throughout the recent transfer window.
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Fernandez completed his deadline day transfer to the Etihad Stadium for a British record equalling £125 million fee - and is set to feature against Manchester United on Sunday in his first local derby in sky blue.
The 25-year-old said he “didn’t hesitate for a second” when City came knocking on his door and has made a remarkable start to life under Maresca, notably earning an assist in his side’s 2-0 UEFA Champions League win over FC Porto on Tuesday.
Before an agreement was reached between City and Chelsea, the London club refused to be boxed in on a cheaper deal and waited patiently for the Citizens to propose a record-breaking offer.
Fernandez joined the club alongside Elliot Anderson, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Iliman Ndiaye, and became an element of Maresca’s remarkable midfield rebuild as part of a summer window that cost the club over £440 million.
Breakdown in Relations With Teammates and Desperation to Play Under Maresca Again Fuelled Transfer Requests
According to The Telegraph, Chelsea had received two written transfer requests from Fernandez and were informed that he felt he no longer had a relationship with any of his teammates.
In the days before his exit, an image of the midfielder alongside his Chelsea teammates - including Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto - emerged, with the Argentine standing furthest away from the group with a frowned appearance.
What makes the situation more infuriating for Chelsea supporters is the fact that Fernandez had reportedly remained in close contact with Maresca after the Italian’s New Year’s Day sacking last year, instead of standing by the club as the vice-captain should.
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Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on his side's fitness ahead of Sunday's trip to face Manchester United.
In April, Fernandez was banned for two games in a bizarre move by Chelsea, who claimed the midfielder ‘crossed a line’ when he said he would love to live in Madrid - meaning he was absent when the Stamford Bridge side were thrashed 3-0 by City.
It conveyed a stark contrast to the passion that Fernandez showcased 13 months before his ban, when he pointed to the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup winners’ badge after scoring against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.
Fernandez Could Become a Crucial Player for Man City and Start in Manchester Derby on Sunday
Maresca made it no secret that he wanted to sign Fernandez when he arrived at City and got to work on completing a deal for the number one target as soon as he succeeded Pep Guardiola.
So far, Fernandez - who won the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina - has been the perfect replacement for last season's departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva, who joined Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.
While it’s far too early to determine whether Fernandez will be a guaranteed success in sky blue, he is showing early signs of becoming a crucial player for the club and could start at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Citizens face United with the hope that they can overcome Michael Carrick’s side and avoid losing a second consecutive derby following the Red Devils’ 2-0 win in January.