Barcelona are reportedly monitoring the situation of Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea ahead of a possible swoop in January.
The 2022 World Cup winner has struggled to assert himself into the plans of new Blues head coach Enzo Maresca. He was omitted for the weekend’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford in favour of midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, making it three substitute appearances in a row. And now a few clubs are trying to exploit the uncertainty over the Argentinean’s place in Maresca’s side.
According to a report from The Sun, Barcelona are keeping tabs on Enzo Fernandez but could face competition from Italian champions Inter Milan.
The South American midfielder has struggled to produce his best at Chelsea since arriving from Benfica in an eye-watering £106.8 million deal in January 2023—hot off the back of a memorable World Cup triumph for Argentina in Qatar.
The report adds Fernandez is ready to fight back for his place in Maresca’s starting XI but not prepared to spend a long time on the sidelines at Stamford Bridge. At this moment, it looks like Maresca has found his first-choice midfield pairing in Caicedo and Lavia.
Enzo Fernandez to Barcelona—Should the La Liga giants push for a move?
Barcelona were restricted to making just one signing in the summer transfer window due to financial constraints, that being Dani Olmo. Despite the lack of transfer activity, the Catalan giants have enjoyed a rollicking start to their La Liga season under new boss Hansi Flick. They are at the summit of the La Liga table, having won 11 of their opening 12 games.
Hansi Flick has given many players a new lease of life whilst providing the team with a certain style of play. Barcelona have played some fantastic stuff since the start of the season, and after Flick’s immediate impact on the squad, the Nou Camp chiefs will hope to back him in the January transfer window.
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has emerged as a potential target for the Blaugrana, who have appeared light in midfield at times this season. Ilkay Gundogan moving back to Manchester City in the summer left Flick with limited options in the engine room, which he tried to compensate with academy products.
Highly-rated Marc Bernal impressed the German manager during Barcelona’s pre-season tour of the United States. He started in a midfield pivot this season but an unfortunate ACL injury has sidelined the youngster for the foreseeable future. Since then, Marc Casado has taken Bernal’s No.6 spot and performed extremely well—including in Barcelona’s 4-0 thrashing of bitter rivals Real Madrid last month.
However, with uncertainty surrounding the future of Frenkie de Jong as well as his injury problems, the La Liga leaders could certainly do with midfield reinforcements in January. Fernandez, in that regard, could benefit Flick’s side. Technically strong, the Argentinean international will be a solid partner for someone like Casado and allow Olmo to thrive in the final third. He can pick a pass, dictate the tempo of games, create chances and break up play too.
Despite Fernandez’s dip in stock, he will not come cheap for Barcelona. That said, if the Spanish side are concretely interested in him, they must look to sign the Chelsea flop on loan with an option to buy.
