Everyone at Chelsea is really angry about you big star Enzo Fernandez’s hint that he wants to go to Madrid. – Manager Liam Rosenior has imposed a two-match penalty on the sidelines for the Argentine World Cup winner, commenting he “crossed a clear line”.
Still…. Chelsea are still ready and willing to reward Enzo Fernandez with an improved contract, despite deadlocked negotiations and growing interest from Europe’s elite, we can reveal.
Earns “only” £190,000 a week!
Read: Has “full control” on Harry Kane signing
The Blues have long seen Fernandez as a cornerstone of their long-term project at Chelsea, talks were opened with the midfielder’s camp earlier this winter about new terms. However, these talks have now come to a complete halt.
Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, has confirmed that negotiations did indeed take place, but that they ultimately broke down due to disagreements over financial terms.
The player’s representatives believe that the Argentine world champion is currently earning below his market value – a stance that sources indicate Chelsea themselves acknowledge.
Despite still having six years left on the contract he signed after his over £100 million transfer from Benfica in 2023, Fernandez’s rapid development into one of Europe’s best midfielders has changed expectations around his salary.
In an interview with The Athletic, Pastore said: “There have been talks about extending his contract, yes. We started discussing, but we couldn’t come to an agreement.
As Enzo’s contract still runs for six years, we decided not to extend it because the conditions were not right for us or for the player.
Given what Enzo is capable of today, he deserves much more than he earns now.”
The contract situation has been further complicated by recent events off the pitch. Fernandez has been taken out of the team for Chelsea’s next two games – the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and a crucial Premier League match against Manchester City.
Manchester Liam Rosenior confirmed the decision on Friday, after comments Fernandez made to South American media about his future, amid links to Real Madrid.
Pastore has strongly criticised the penalty, insisting it is unjustified and ill-timed in view of Chelsea’s quest for Champions League qualification.
“The punishment is completely unfair,” he said. “These are crucial games, and Enzo is one of the team’s most important players.
He did not understand the situation, but accepted it professionally. We don’t agree with the decision because he never mentioned any club or said he wants to leave Chelsea – on the contrary.”
How real is the interest in Enzo Fernandez?
The interest in Fernandez is very real, with Real Madrid leading the way.
European giants such as Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation closely, while clubs from the Saudi Pro League are keeping an eye on developments.
However, Chelsea are still determined to keep Fernandez and see him as one of the best midfielders in world football.
While the club recognises that every player has their price, any potential deal would have to exceed the colossal sum they paid – an amount well over £100 million.
Want more transfer news from original sources? Add TEAMtalk as a preferred source on Google to your favorite list of news you can trust.
As things stand, Chelsea’s priority is to resolve the contract issue and confirm Fernandez’s place at the heart of their project.
But with rising tensions and growing interest, this is a situation that could still escalate in the months to come.
Meeting revealed – he wants to go to Manchester United
