Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has questioned whether midfielder Enzo Fernandez is suited to the Premier League, offering a word of caution to Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.
Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 with a then-record fee of £105 million, making headlines as one of the costliest signings in the league.
The 23-year-old Argentine, a World Cup winner, showcased glimpses of his talent early on, yet he’s struggled to consistently live up to the lofty expectations since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
With Maresca now refining his lineup and settling into a preferred starting eleven, Fernandez has found himself competing with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who currently occupy key roles in Chelsea’s midfield.
As a result, Fernandez hasn’t started a Premier League match since early October, often finding himself on the bench.
Maresca has acknowledged the crucial balance that Caicedo and Lavia bring to the squad’s structure, although he insists that Fernandez still holds a valuable role in the team as the season progresses.
Despite these reassurances, Gallas has raised concerns about whether Fernandez’s style and abilities are fully compatible with the rigorous nature of English football.
In a conversation with Prime Casino, Gallas highlighted that while Fernandez undoubtedly has skill, the intensity and physical demands of the Premier League make it essential for players to perform at a consistently high level, particularly in the box-to-box role.
According to Gallas, Fernandez needs to either contribute more in terms of goals and assists or work on improving his stamina and reliability on the pitch to meet the Premier League’s high standards.
As of now, Fernandez’s playing time has been limited to shorter appearances, such as his recent substitute role against Manchester United.
These brief chances have only increased the pressure on him to make a noticeable impact when he does get on the field.
Although Fernandez is contracted until 2032 with weekly earnings of £180,000, a move away from Chelsea could prove challenging, even as he reportedly garners interest from clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Early reports, however, suggest that Fernandez remains dedicated to his Chelsea career and is determined to earn a regular starting position.
Meanwhile, a potential opportunity may be developing for Manchester United to bring in another Chelsea player rumored to be unsettled at Stamford Bridge.
Speaking on behalf of potential club stakeholders, Sir Jim Ratcliffe expressed interest in the idea, suggesting that if the player were to move to Old Trafford, he would be a regular starter under United’s recently appointed manager, Ruben Amorim.
This potential move signals United’s intent to revitalize their squad with high-quality talent, taking advantage of any discontent among top players in rival Premier League clubs.
