EXCLUSIVE: Enzo Fernandez now open to Chelsea departure

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 7 Feb 2024 07:36 GMT
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is considering a departure from the club, FootballTransfers has been told.

The player's agents, including his long-time representative Uriel Perez, have begun talks with various clubs to explore potential opportunities for the talented midfielder.

Fernandez, who initially arrived at Chelsea for a then Premier League-record €121 million with the assistance of superagent Jorge Mendes, has failed to live up to his price tag at Stamford Bridge so far. The dynamics surrounding the potential move remain unclear at this point, whether it's the player driving a transfer away or his representatives, but a sticking point will no doubt be the World Cup winner's contract that runs until 2032, with the club having activated a one-year clause in the deal.

The youngster was described as a 'complete midfielder' when he signed but so far performances have shown that he is quite limited.

"In Enzo we are signing a World Cup-winner and one of the brightest talents in global football," a statement from Todd Boehly, Chelsea chairman, and Behdad Eghbali, co-controlling owner, read upon reaching an agreement with Benfica.

"We are excited to add him to Graham's [Potter] squad and we are sure he will form an important part of our team going forward. Enzo has demonstrated his ability at the very highest levels so we're looking forward to seeing what he will do in Chelsea blue."

Fernandez has only scored five times and provided three assists across 49 matches, with it now over a year since he's been with the West London club.

We are told, too, that Mykhailo Mudryk did enquire about leaving Chelsea on loan in January to get up to speed but he was told that it would not be possible by the club.

What did Mauricio Pochettino say about Enzo Fernandez?

Meanwhile, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has openly insisted that Fernandez needs to improve on the pitch, and that his partnership with Moises Caicedo has been underwhelming so far both making up the most expensive midfield in the Premier League.

After the poor 2-0 defeat to Everton just last month, the former Tottenham boss said of his compatriot: "The relationship between them needs to improve of course, between them and individually also. They are young, the expectation is massive when you arrive.

"Caicedo had one season in Brighton and Enzo after three months in Europe, he was in Benfica before arriving to the Premier League. Arriving not in the best place to perform quick because they need to be part of the solution.

"They are not the cherry of the cake. When you arrive in a team that is in a building process and you're young with not too much experience, even if you have good quality and people can see the club paid big money and only for that you need to perform, it is not like this in football. Some people think in this way because they don't know about football.