Right, let’s get the caveat out of the way first: this piece exists because the situation is too amusing to ignore.
Enzo Fernandez – a spiky character if ever there was one – wants out of Chelsea. He wants Real Madrid, specifically – wanted it enough to get himself hauled up and sanctioned by his own club for saying so out loud.
And today (Friday July 3), Real Madrid replied with an official statement ruling themselves out entirely, insisting they’ve made no approach and have no plans to. Not “not right now.” Not “let’s see.” A flat no, in writing, on the club letterhead.
So – purely hypothetically, friends – is there a world where he ends up at Man City instead?
The connection isn’t non-existent. City were linked as far back as April, with The Athletic reporting he’d been earmarked as a midfield option. The real thread here is Enzo Maresca, who managed Fernandez at Chelsea, and TEAMtalk reported in May that talks had already taken place between the two over a possible reunion, with Fernandez said to be “100% open” to the idea.
Door closed at City
Except City have already said no as well. More than once. Sky Sports reported in mid-June that City had ruled him out entirely while they focused on Elliot Anderson – and that deal has since gone through, a British-record £116m move from Nottingham Forest.
So the stated reason for staying away no longer applies. Whether that actually changes anything is a different question. Bernardo Silva’s exit has freed up a midfield spot, but between Rodri, Anderson and the rest, Maresca isn’t short of options.
And this is the bit that’s a little unkind to Fernández, though we can’t say it isn’t accurate: he’s a good player – World Cup winner, ten goals and four assists last season, comfortable dictating a game from deep.
But at a valuation north of £100m, with City having just spent big on alternatives, he looks less like a solution for City and more like a problem for Chelsea.
It’s not just about money, either. Anderson brings energy and legs and an upward trajectory. Fernandez brings undeniable quality, but also two-and-a-half years of chirping up, a suspension for talking himself into this mess, and a price tag that only makes sense to a desperate club. At the moment, nobody looks desperate enough.
No Madrid…
Which leaves him wanting Madrid, and publicly told no by Madrid. Linked with City, and quietly told no by City too. Not where you’d expect a player of his standing to be sitting three weeks out from pre-season – and a reminder of how fast “wants to leave” can quickly become “nobody’s actually calling.”
Could City change their mind now Anderson’s business is done? Never say never – fees move, situations shift, and football is football. But going purely off what’s out there right now, this looks a lot more like a bloke who’s talked his way out of a good job than the early stages of a reunion with his old boss.
Sorry, Enzo. We had a look. Couldn’t find you a way in.
That’s your luck.
