Chelsea's record-breaking midfielder Enzo Fernández is at a career crossroads, with his future at Stamford Bridge under serious scrutiny. The Argentine World Cup winner, signed for a British record £107 million in 2023, is reportedly considering his options following the abrupt departure of manager Enzo Maresca.
Managerial Exit Sparks Uncertainty
The catalyst for this potential upheaval was the surprise sacking of head coach Enzo Maresca on New Year's Day. Maresca was dismissed by the West London club after a reported explosive falling-out with the Chelsea hierarchy. His exit paved the way for the appointment of new head coach Liam Rosenior last week.
Fernández, who enjoyed an extremely positive relationship with the Italian manager, was visibly affected by the change. He publicly admitted he was 'sad' about Maresca's departure, a sentiment he shared after scoring a 94th-minute equaliser against Manchester City on January 4th. The 24-year-old later posted an emotional tribute to Maresca on social media, thanking him for his guidance and the two trophies they won together, while many of his teammates remained silent.
PSG Emerge as Long-Term Admirers
According to a report from the respected French publication L'Equipe, this period of instability has led Fernández to ponder his next steps. The report names him as a primary transfer target for Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite their UEFA Champions League triumph last season, PSG's hierarchy believes the squad needs fresh impetus. There is a concern within the club that some players have become 'too comfortable' due to a lack of genuine competition for starting places. A source close to a PSG player told the newspaper that not bringing in more competition was a mistake, stating that players are now performing with less urgency.
While the French champions are keen to bolster their midfield, they view Fernández as a long-term objective and made no attempt to sign him during the January transfer window. Their current midfield, including Joao Neves and Fabián Ruiz, has allegedly raised some doubts for manager Luis Enrique, despite their excellent contributions last season.
On-Field Tensions Add to the Drama
The speculation around Fernández's future comes amid a turbulent period on the pitch for Chelsea. New boss Liam Rosenior was immediately thrust into a firefighting role. In his first match as head coach last week, he watched from the stands as Marc Cucurella received the club's seventh red card of the season in all competitions against Fulham.
Rosenior's intervention was required again this week. Following Chelsea's 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday, Fernández was involved in a heated full-time altercation. The £107m midfielder clashed with Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi and Gabriel Magalhães, appearing to grab Zubimendi by the neck.
Rosenior, aware of Chelsea's poor disciplinary record prior to his appointment, rushed onto the pitch to drag his star player away to safety. This incident underscores the fractious environment at the club as they navigate a significant managerial transition.
With PSG watching from afar and Fernández's contentment at Chelsea now in question, the coming months could define the next chapter of the Argentine's lucrative but unsettled spell in the Premier League.
