Enzo Fernandez’s agent sends transfer message to Real Madrid

Enzo Fernandez’s agent insists the midfielder remains fully ‘focused’ on finishing the season strongly at Chelsea amid rumours of a possible summer transfer move to Real Madrid.

Chelsea struck a club-record £106.8million deal with Benfica to bring Fernandez to Stamford Bridge back in 2023, a move that made the 25-year-old the fifth most expensive footballer in history.

In that time, Fernandez has racked up 29 goals and 29 assists in 164 appearances for the Blues, while helping the west London giants lift the Europa Conference League trophy and the Club World Cup.

There has been mounting speculation surrounding Fernandez’s future beyond the summer, though, with the Argentina international repeatedly flirting with the idea of a potential switch to the Bernabeu.

Last month, when Liam Rosenior was still in charge, Fernandez also voiced his frustrations over Chelsea’s decision to dismiss Enzo Maresca, claiming the the Italian’s sacking ‘hurt us a lot’.

Fernandez was subsequently slapped with a two-match internal ban for his remarks, meaning he missed Chelsea’s victory over Port Vale and the side’s defeat to Manchester City.

But the 2022 World Cup winner redeemed himself somewhat with the decisive goal last weekend as Chelsea – led by interim boss Calum McFarlane – edged past Leeds to advance to this year’s FA Cup final.

‘The most impressive thing about him was when the tactics went out the window and Leeds were on top, he’s just a fighter and a warrior,’ McFarlane said of Fernandez in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.

‘We don’t have to have the perfect game-plan in those moments because he’ll run, compete, tackle and drive players on.

‘So that’s what I thought was probably the deciding factor in the game.’

Four days on from Chelsea’s semi-final win at Wembley, Spanish publication AS have published an interview with Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, the former PSG and Argentina star.

Pictures of Fernandez enjoying the tennis on show at the Madrid Open – along with Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro – have been circulating across social media, images which drawn yet more criticism from some sections of the fanbase.

But Pastore insists Fernandez is simply a big fan of the city and there is little truth to the incessant rumours linking his client with Real Madrid – at this stage.

‘A lot is being said, but the truth is that nothing is really happening. He’s focused on finishing the season strongly at Chelsea,’ Pastore explained.

‘It’s true he made some comments that perhaps weren’t ideal at the time, but he didn’t say anything unusual. 

‘He simply spoke about Madrid, which he really likes.’

On the notion that Fernandez’s visits to Madrid could be perceived as a come-and-get-me plea to Bernabeu bosses, Pastore replied: ‘Whenever he has a day off, he comes to Madrid because I’m there and because he has friends in the city.

‘That’s all it is, nothing more.

‘The aim is to finish the season well at Chelsea, have a strong World Cup, and then we’ll see what happens.’

Asked where Fernandez could potentially slot in at Madrid, Pastore responded: ‘He’s played in several positions. Over the past two years, his role has changed quite a lot.

‘Under Enzo Maresca, he played much further forward. With Liam Rosenior, he operated more as a holding midfielder.

‘For the Argentine national team, he’s also been used as a more advanced number eight, getting forward and contributing goals. 

‘He’s had two seasons with plenty of assists and goals, so it’s natural that coaches see him as more attacking than defensive. That said, he’s a player who can comfortably perform in both roles.’

Reports earlier this week suggested Chelsea were ready to listen to offers for Fernandez, but the Club World Cup holders will be demanding a ‘high price’ for the ex-Benfica and River Plate man.

Manchester City have also been credited with a strong interest in Fernandez in recent days, with the club scouring the market for midfielders to fill the void left by Bernardo Silva’s impending departure.

Fernandez’s current contract at Stamford Bridge is not due to expire until June 2032.

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