Life after Enzo: How Chelsea will look without Fernandez

Robin Bairner

• 7 Feb 2024 08:54 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea face the prospect of the first major departure of the Todd Boehly era in the summer, with Enzo Fernandez potentially leaving Stamford Bridge.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that Fernandez is open to leaving the Premier League giants, having only arrived from Benfica in a club-record €121 million deal in January 2023.

The Argentina international’s time in England has been something of a disappointment thus far, with the Blues struggling in the middle part of the Premier League table.

Enzo’s agents have already started exploring possible moves for the 23-year-old, who has seen his Estimated Transfer Value slide to €55m, down from a high of €83m during his early months with the club.

But if he were to leave Chelsea, how could Mauricio Pochettino’s side line up?

Chelsea without Enzo Fernandez

In goal, Djordje Petrovic appears to have done enough to displace Robert Sanchez for the moment, with the Spaniard facing a battle to regain his place once he overcomes a knee injury.

The defence is likely to be a back four, with this setup Pochettino’s favoured system. Although the Argentine is considering the adoption of a back three, this would likely be a temporary measure and by the time Enzo leaves, a return to the usual four is highly probable.

Reece James, when fit, will be given the nod on the right, with Ben Chilwell playing on the left. Assuming Thiago Silva departs, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana, if he can get fit and back to his best, is the likely central combination. Benoit Badiashile would fill in otherwise.

Moises Caicedo will need a new partner in central midfield, with Romeo Lavia liable to be given the nod in this technical position.

Up front, Chelsea will boast a dangerous four. Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling should continue in the attacking midfield positions, while Nicolas Jackson will be favoured in the No.9 role so long as there is no new addition – something the Blues are working on in the form of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.