"Massive For Us" - Moises Caicedo Sends Enzo Fernandez Defiant Message Over Chelsea Future | OneFootball

The latest on Enzo Fernandez's future at Chelsea. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Moises Caicedo has declared his wish for Chelsea midfield partner Enzo Fernandez, whose future at the club remains uncertain, to stay this summer.

Both Caicedo and Fernandez were in talks over new contracts last season. While Caicedo signed an extension that ties him to the club until 2033, Chelsea and Fernandez have yet to reach an agreement over a new deal.

For Caicedo, it was a rather easy decision.

“They (Chelsea) didn't say anything (to me when I renewed my contract). I just wanted to keep playing for the club,” the Ecuador international admitted during a press conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Whereas the future of Fernandez, who remains on extended leave after representing Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, is far from clear.

Fernandez's complicated situation at Chelsea

The former Benfica midfielder's contract runs a year shorter than Caicedo's, until 2032, so on paper, Chelsea should not be under pressure to offer him an improved deal.

From a practical point of view, however, it is easy to see why Fernandez feels he deserves to be paid more.

Fernandez doesn't appear to have many options for a Chelsea exit. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

He played more minutes than any other Chelsea player last season, making 54 appearances for the club across all competitions and providing 15 goals and seven assists.

The midfielder was undoubtedly one of, if not the most important, Chelsea players last term.

While Fernandez himself has not indicated that he wants to leave, his agent Javier Pastore has already opened up about the possibility.

In an interview with Spanish outlet Marca, Pastore claimed that they were looking at possibilities to leave Chelsea, albeit nothing concrete yet at the time.

While the fee that clubs would have to offer to Chelsea for the 25-year-old makes a summer exit improbable, it is not entirely off the table.

Chelsea are reported to have valued the versatile midfielder at £120 million, a slight increase from the £106.8m they paid Benfica for him in January 2023.

The club have also brought in a couple of new midfielders this summer: Valentin Barco from Strasbourg and Jordan Henderson from Brentford, which should help the team cope with Fernandez’s possible departure.

That said, Fernandez is still an important figure in Chelsea’s dressing room as a vice-captain, and based on Caicedo’s comment, is well liked by his teammates.

Caicedo hopes Fernandez stays

“I love Enzo. He knows I have a lot of respect for him, because, as we know, the player he is,” said Caicedo about his midfield partner.

“Not just the player; he is a great person. I want him to stay, but I am not going to talk about that.

Caicedo has recently returned to Chelsea for pre-season duty after his World Cup involvement. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

“If he stays here, it's going to be massive for us. For sure, he is going to think and do what is best for him.”

It remains unclear whether Chelsea and Fernandez can eventually reach an agreement, but the club will have the final say given the midfielder’s current long contract.

Caicedo also believes Fernandez can handle the pressure he will likely face in the Premier League following his involvement in England’s semi-final defeat to Argentina at the World Cup.

Fernandez scored a late equaliser in the game and might have upset many England supporters with his celebration.

“100 per cent. He is a strong player and has his own mentality,” Caicedo said.

“He is a world champion. For sure, he is going to manage the pressure and will continue how he finished.”