Enzo Fernandez’s agent insists the midfielder stays fully ‘focused’ on ending the season strongly at Chelsea amid rumours of a possible summer transfer move to Real Madrid.
Chelsea struck a club-record £106.8million cope with Benfica to bring Fernandez to Stamford Bridge back in 2023, a move that made the 25-year-old the fifth costliest footballer in history.
In that point, 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 was mounting speculation surrounding Fernandez’s future beyond the summer, though, with the Argentina international repeatedly flirting with the thought of a possible 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 quite a bit’.
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.
However 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 12 months’s FA Cup final.
‘Essentially the most impressive thing about him was when the tactics went out the window and Leeds were on top, he’s only a fighter and a warrior,’ McFarlane said of Fernandez in his post-match interview with TNT Sports.
‘We don’t should have the right game-plan in those moments because he’ll run, compete, tackle and drive players on.
‘In order that’s what I assumed was probably the deciding think about the sport.’
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4 days on from Chelsea’s semi-final win at Wembley, Spanish publication AS have published an interview with Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, the previous PSG and Argentina star.
Pictures of Fernandez having fun with the tennis on show on the Madrid Open – together 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 solely a giant fan of the town and there’s little truth to the incessant rumours linking his client with Real Madrid – at this stage.
‘Loads is being said, but the reality is that nothing is actually happening. He’s focused on ending the season strongly at Chelsea,’ Pastore explained.
‘It’s true he made some comments that perhaps weren’t ideal on 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 possibly be perceived as a come-and-get-me plea to Bernabeu bosses, Pastore replied: ”At any time when he has a time off, he involves Madrid because I’m there and since he has friends in the town.
‘That’s all it’s, nothing more.
‘The aim is to complete the season well at Chelsea, have a robust World Cup, after which 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 modified quite quite a bit.
‘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 loads 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 each roles.’
Reports earlier this week suggested Chelsea were able to hearken to offers for Fernandez, however the Club World Cup holders will probably be demanding a ‘high price’ for the ex-Benfica and River Plate man.
Manchester City have also been credited with a robust interest in Fernandez in recent days, with the club scouring the marketplace for midfielders to fill the void left by Bernardo Silva’s impending departure.
Fernandez’s current contract at Stamford Bridge will not be on account of expire until June 2032.
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