Enzo Fernandez has had a significant season at Chelsea. The Argentine international, who signed for the club in 2023, has been a key figure under manager Enzo Maresca this term, even after a period where he wasn`t the automatic first choice in the midfield early in the campaign.
Across all competitions, he played 44 games, scoring seven goals and providing 13 assists. Of these goal contributions, 13 came in his 35 Premier League appearances. He also served as the Blues` captain this term, leading the side in 29 total appearances.
His impressive performances have certainly caught the eye, leading to speculation linking Fernandez with a surprising move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
Update on Enzo Fernandez`s Future
The next few weeks could be interesting for Fernandez, who is reportedly a key target for European giants Real Madrid.
The former Benfica star was first linked with Los Blancos back in March, who were reportedly `considering a move` for him. Fernandez was said to be `very interested` in joining Madrid if the opportunity arose this summer.
More recently, there has been reassuring news for fans of the West London club. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano stated that Todd Boehly and the ownership group are determined to keep the World Cup winner despite the interest from the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, a Spanish news outlet suggested a potential price tag for Fernandez this summer: a massive £102 million, should Madrid push for the transfer.
Although Romano indicates Chelsea are reluctant to lose their vice-captain, there could already be a suitable internal replacement prepared to step in if he does depart.
Chelsea`s Potential Internal Replacement for Fernandez
It is uncommon for a midfielder to be described as “complete” at just 21 years old, yet this is exactly how football analyst Ben Mattinson characterized Andrey Santos.
The Brazilian, who was signed for approximately £18 million in January 2023, remains a Chelsea player but is currently on loan at French side Strasbourg.
The former Vasco da Gama midfielder, born in Rio de Janeiro, has enjoyed an impressive season. Playing in the heart of midfield, he has featured in 34 games across all competitions, netting 11 goals and contributing five assists.
In Ligue 1, playing for a Strasbourg team that performed well throughout the campaign, he reached double figures for goals, becoming one of only two players from his club to do so. His tenth was a memorable strike in the season`s final match, a 2-2 draw against Le Havre.
Fernandez and Santos have notably similar playing profiles at Chelsea. Their positions this season highlight this similarity: Fernandez primarily played as a number eight (28 times) and occasionally as a number six (11 times). The Strasbourg loanee has played as an eight (24 times) and a six (10 times).
Looking at their statistics from this season confirms their similar profiles. Both are dynamic, box-to-box midfielders capable of scoring regularly, creating chances, and contributing effectively defensively.
FBref statistics further support their similarity, with Santos arguably performing better in some areas. For example, he averages 0.32 goals and 5.93 ball recoveries per 90 minutes, compared to Fernandez`s 0.19 goals and 4.83 ball recoveries per game.
|
Santos and Fernandez – Key Stats Compared (per 90 minutes) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Stat | Santos | Fernandez |
| Goals | 0.32 | 0.19 |
| Passes into final third | 4.45 | 5.24 |
| Progressive carries | 0.91 | 1.86 |
| Tackles and interceptions | 4.48 | 2.46 |
| Ball recoveries | 5.93 | 4.83 |
Mattinson`s description of Santos as a midfield “monster” suggests he could certainly compete for a place in Chelsea`s team and potentially replace Fernandez if needed. He outperforms Fernandez in several key statistics and has a higher combined total of goals and assists this season.
Should Chelsea ultimately lose Fernandez, fans can feel confident knowing Santos is ready to step up and help fill the gap left by such a vital player in their squad.
