Three midfielders who can replace Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea this summer | OneFootball

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez played coy when quizzed about his future at Stamford Bridge beyond this season following the Blues’ Champions League exit.

Chelsea are out of Europe, the League Cup, and are increasingly in danger of missing out on a top-five slot in the Premier League.

Fernandez is reportedly ready to leave the West London giants in search of a more stable club, with the Blues failing to build on their success at the end of last season.

Despite having a contract with Chelsea that runs through till 2032, there is a real possibility that he can leave the FIFA Club World Cup champions this summer.

Chelsea seriously need to start considering replacements for Fernandez, who is capable of unlocking defences as a deep-lying orchestrator, a box-crasher, or even a number 10.

Read on as we look at a few names the Europa Conference League champions can sign to replace their uniquely world-class Argentine maestro.

Adam Wharton

Chelsea need someone who can punch the ball through the lines, unlock backlines, and organise play in the engine room. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton fits the bill.

Wharton has created 11 big chances in the Premier League this term. He is an important piece in Oliver Glasner’s machinery.

Fernandez is one of only three players who have played more through balls than Wharton this season.

He is still developing into the finished product and can do so at Stamford Bridge, where they have embraced youth at the expense of their competitiveness.

However, Chelsea will be wary of his injury record, which is less than stellar. Also, his lack of athleticism and defensive intensity might raise eyebrows.

It is also worth noting that Wharton does not have the sheer goalscoring nous of Fernandez.

Former Blues boss Enzo Maresca unlocked that ability, and he is currently one of the best in the world in terms of output. Wharton might struggle to match up.

Elliot Anderson

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is another midfielder Chelsea have been keeping tabs on. He is arguably the best pound-for-pound replacement available.

Anderson’s ability to operate as a holding and central midfielder is invaluable.

He is more capable defensively than Fernandez, even though the Chelsea man is better in the attacking third.

No midfielder in the league has completed more successful short passes (1575) than Anderson this season. Only two have completed more long passes (104).

Anderson ranks third for successful open play crosses (16). He sits fourth for interceptions and total tackles, and has won the most duels (245).

The 23-year-old Englishman is reportedly valued at £100 million, and it remains unclear if Chelsea will be willing to match that sum.

They also face competition from other Premier League sides.

If they do go for Anderson, he is a stellar candidate to carry the torch from Fernandez.

Mateus Fernandes

Sticking with Premier League midfielders, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes is one player the Blues should be keeping tabs on if Fernandez does leave Stamford Bridge.

Like Fernandez, Fernandes is comfortable playing in a deeper role or much closer to the opposition goal, where he can leave his mark in the final third.

The Portuguese youth international is still developing, but the potential is outstanding. He has played a key role for the Hammers this season and is doing so with aplomb.

Fernandes is adept at keeping things ticking and spreading the ball wide when it needs to go there.

While he is sometimes guilty of forcing the issue, he will fine-tune his understanding of the game as he ages.

The leap to Chelsea might look a lot for Fernandes at this point, but he is capable of stepping up to the challenge.