Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez performed coy when quizzed about his future at Stamford Bridge past this season following the Blues’ Champions League exit.
Chelsea are out of Europe, the League Cup, and are more and more in peril of lacking out on a top-five slot within the Premier League.
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Fernandez is reportedly prepared to depart the West London giants in the hunt for a extra steady membership, with the Blues failing to construct on their success on the finish of final season.
Regardless of having a contract with Chelsea that runs by means of until 2032, there may be .
Chelsea severely want to start out contemplating replacements for Fernandez, who’s able to unlocking defences as a deep-lying orchestrator, a box-crasher, or perhaps a quantity 10.
Learn on as we take a look at a couple of names the Europa Convention League champions can signal to interchange their uniquely world-class Argentine maestro.
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Adam Wharton
Chelsea want somebody who can punch the ball by means of the traces, unlock backlines, and organise play within the engine room. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton matches the invoice.
Wharton has created 11 huge probabilities within the Premier League this time period. He is a crucial piece in Oliver Glasner’s equipment.
Fernandez is considered one of solely three gamers who’ve performed extra by means of balls than Wharton this season.
He’s nonetheless growing into the completed product and may achieve this at Stamford Bridge, the place they’ve embraced youth on the expense of their competitiveness.
Nonetheless, Chelsea will probably be cautious of his harm report, which is lower than stellar. Additionally, his lack of athleticism and defensive depth would possibly elevate eyebrows.
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It’s also price noting that Wharton doesn’t have the sheer goalscoring nous of Fernandez.
Former Blues boss Enzo Maresca unlocked that means, and he’s at present the most effective on the earth by way of output. Wharton would possibly battle to match up.
Elliot Anderson
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is one other midfielder Chelsea have been holding tabs on. He’s arguably the perfect pound-for-pound alternative out there.
Anderson’s means to function as a holding and central midfielder is invaluable.
He’s extra succesful defensively than Fernandez, although the Chelsea man is healthier within the attacking third.
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No midfielder within the league has accomplished extra profitable brief passes (1575) than Anderson this season. Solely two have accomplished extra lengthy passes (104).
Anderson ranks third for profitable open play crosses (16). He sits fourth for interceptions and complete tackles, and has gained essentially the most duels (245).
The 23-year-old Englishman is reportedly valued at £100 million, and it stays unclear if Chelsea will probably be prepared to match that sum.
In addition they face competitors from different Premier League sides.
In the event that they do go for Anderson, he’s a stellar candidate to hold the torch from Fernandez.
Mateus Fernandes
Sticking with Premier League midfielders, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes is one participant the Blues ought to be holding tabs on if Fernandez does go away Stamford Bridge.
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Like Fernandez, Fernandes is comfy enjoying in a deeper function or a lot nearer to the opposition aim, the place he can go away his mark within the closing third.
The Portuguese youth worldwide remains to be growing, however the potential is excellent. He has performed a key function for the Hammers this season and is doing so with aplomb.
Fernandes is adept at holding issues ticking and spreading the ball large when it must go there.
Whereas he’s generally responsible of forcing the difficulty, he’ll fine-tune his understanding of the sport as he ages.
The leap to would possibly look lots for Fernandes at this level, however he’s able to stepping as much as the problem.