Chelsea cannot to afford to let Enzo Fernandez go at any price | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was one of the stars of the show as Argentina claimed a 2-1 win over England to reach the 2026 World Cup final yesterday.

The Blues have reportedly set a £120 million price tag on Fernandez, who wants to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

However, the Chelsea star showed the club’s hierarchy exactly why they should not let him go at any price.

The 25-year-old fired in the equaliser that spurred Argentina back into the game. He picked up the ball from just outside the box and speared in a fierce shot beyond Jordan Pickford.

Fernandez completed three out of four long balls, 82 out of 84 passes and made one key pass. He recorded 42 carries and won three out of ten duels.

The Chelsea number eight has shown throughout this tournament that he is a world-class player, shining in holding midfield, in a double pivot or as an advanced operator.

Chelsea should ask themselves a simple question – if Enzo Fernandez leaves, who realistically replaces him?

Alex Scott is a fine young talent. Adam Wharton has enormous potential. But neither player possesses Fernandez’s complete skill set or proven pedigree at the very highest level.

Players capable of dictating tempo, progressing the ball under pressure, creating chances and producing decisive moments in the biggest matches are incredibly rare.

For all the criticism aimed at BlueCo’s scattergun recruitment, Fernandez is one of the few unquestionably elite signings they have made.

Selling him would be another step backwards for a club already lacking experienced world-class leaders.

He reportedly wants to leave. So did Didier Drogba and John Terry. Eden Hazard flirted with exits before eventually getting his wish.

Great clubs don’t simply cash in on elite players. They convince them the club is worth believing in.

Chelsea should fix the wider issues, build a serious team around Fernandez and make him the cornerstone of their rebuild.

Defensive imperfections aside, he is too good to let go at any price.