Chelsea are already making contingency plans for the potential departure of midfield star Enzo Fernandez this summer, according to CaughtOffside.
Chelsea identify three targets to replace Enzo Fernandez ahead of exit
The Argentine World Cup winner faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge, prompting the Blues to identify three potential replacements.
The west London club returned to Premier League action on Saturday still reeling from a humiliating Champions League exit.
Paris Saint-Germain thrashed them 3-0 at Stamford Bridge midweek, sealing a brutal 8-2 aggregate victory.
That result piles further pressure on manager Liam Rosenior, who has overseen just one win in the club’s last five league games.
Currently sitting sixth in the table, Chelsea trail fourth-placed Aston Villa by three points in the frantic race for Champions League qualification. Off-field matters now threaten to complicate that pursuit.
According to sources, discussions regarding Fernandez’s future have been ongoing internally for some time. The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a British-record fee of approximately £107 million.
After a slow start in English football, he has developed into one of the Premier League’s finest midfield operators.
Fernandez has racked up 160 appearances for the club, featuring 45 times already this term. Despite his consistency, reports indicate an exit this summer remains a genuine possibility.
If Fernandez departs, Chelsea have moved swiftly to line up targets. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson sits at the top of their wishlist.
However, the Blues face stiff competition for his signature, with both Manchester City and Manchester United monitoring the situation.
With that in mind, recruitment chiefs are exploring alternative options. AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit has caught the eye with impressive performances in the Eredivisie.
Wolves star Mateus Mane also features prominently on the shortlist as a player capable of slotting straight into Rosenior’s engine room.
The coming weeks will prove pivotal. Chelsea must balance their push for a top-four finish while preparing for life without one of their most influential players.
Whether Fernandez stays or goes, the club appears determined to ensure they have a succession plan ready to go.
