What Enzo Fernandez Did To Hint At Chelsea Stay Amid Man City Interest | OneFootball

Fernandez was one of seven Chelsea players to return for pre-season this week. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez is increasingly likely to stay at Chelsea this summer despite transfer interest from Manchester City.

Fernandez is one of several Chelsea players who missed out on the club’s pre-season tour in Australia and Asia under new manager Xabi Alonso due to their involvement in the latter stages of the 2025 World Cup.

There have been speculations over the 25-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge, especially after his agent Javier Pastore told Spanish outlet Marca in early July that they had been “looking at options” to leave Chelsea.

Chelsea are understood to be consistent with their stance on this. Fernandez may only leave if another club are willing to fork out around £120 million in transfer fees.

While no clubs have made an offer for Fernandez so far, Manchester City are reported to be interested in reuniting the midfielder with head coach Enzo Maresca.

There is an increasing expectation that the Argentina international will stay at the club.

According to The Athletic, Fernandez even paid a visit to the Cobham training ground on Monday after returning from his holiday, which may indicate he will stay at the club.

This was quite unexpected since it was earlier than his official return date, a day earlier than his return on Tuesday, when he was pictured back out on the grass to begin his preparations for the new season.

Fernandez's return is a welcome development

From Chelsea’s perspective, this should be a win-win situation.

Fernandez remains part of the club’s plans, and last month, Alonso already responded “yes” when asked whether he wanted to keep the midfielder.

He also confirmed that he had been in touch with Fernandez at that point.

“We have spoken. But, as you can understand, what we said will remain private,” he explained.

Fernandez played more minutes than any other player in Chelsea’s squad last season, having made 54 appearances for the club across all competitions.

He also finished the season with the second-most goal contributions for the club in the Premier League with 10 goals and four assists, behind only Joao Pedro.

Chelsea are unlikely to be as dependent on Fernandez this season, given that they have already brought in two more midfielders, Valentin Barco and Jordan Henderson, to the club.

Still, Fernandez is expected to be the primary midfield pairing alongside Moises Caicedo.

Fernandez is under a long-term contract with Chelsea until June 2032, but like Caicedo, he may sign an improved contract if he ends up staying.

Caicedo signed his new deal back in April, extending his stay by two years until the summer of 2033.