Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernandez linked with two European giants after losing spot in starting XI
Yesterday at 04:32 PM
Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea career is in a real bad patch – and two European heavyweights are reportedly ready to pounce.
Fernandez moved to Stamford Bridge for an eye-watering £106.8million in January 2023 but has largely struggled to live up to his price tag.
The Argentinian, who was named the best young player at the 2022 World Cup, is also yet to score from 13 appearances across all competitions for the Blues.
Fernandez’s fall from grace took another hit on Sunday when Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca put him to the bench against Manchester United, with a midfield duo of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia preferred.
It was the third-straight game Fernandez was named as a substitute.
Maresca later explained Fernandez’s axing was because he preferred Caicedo and Lavia’s ‘physicality’, but it has done little to allay fears the Argentinian star faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge.
Should Fernandez, who was named as Chelsea’s captain prior to the 2024/25 season before club skipper Reece James returned from injury, struggle for minutes, it will have Europe’s biggest clubs on red alert.
And The Sun reports two teams are ready to pounce.
According to the publication, Inter Milan and Barcelona are keeping tabs on the situation at Stamford Bridge.
However, The Sun also claims Fernandez wants to fight for his spot at Chelsea.
But harsh conversations may need to be had should Fernandez remain consigned to substitute appearances.
Fernandez’s on-field struggles follow a tumultuous period in his life off of it after he recently separated from his long-term partner, Valentina Cervantes.
Cervantes confirmed the split last Thursday.
“With Enzo today we say distance from each other,” Cervantes posted on X.
“But we will always be family and support each other through everything. Because there are two kids in the middle that need a lot of our love for them.
“I know the person and excellent father Enzo is, and the heart he has. And that’s enough for me. They don’t want to create wars where there aren’t any.”
The couple share a son and daughter together.
