Enzo Fernández has been pictured in a Manchester City shirt for more than 48 hours, with the dust settled on a transfer deadline day to forget. Chelsea fans have been left licking their wounds after the club failed to secure a high-quality replacement.
Fans may argue that banking the £125 million is enough to soften the blow for the next few months, but this deal represents clear winners and losers on both sides. From Chelsea’s perspective, however, the balance feels heavily weighted towards the latter.
Winner - Arsenal and Manchester City
There is no doubt that this makes Chelsea weaker as they look to put together a serious challenge for the Premier League title. Do they need Enzo Fernández to win it? Probably not, but having him in the squad would undoubtedly strengthen their chances.
His departure also makes Arsenal’s task slightly easier. Just two weeks ago, Chelsea looked like the biggest threat to Arsenal’s title defence, but Manchester City have now emerged as the more obvious challenger. City have the attacking quality and defensive solidity; now it is time to see whether their £350 million-plus midfield can live up to the expectations that come with such an investment.
Loser - Xabi Alonso
In that weakness, Xabi Alonso loses out significantly. Chelsea’s midfield now looks light, with Romeo Lavia, Jordan Henderson, Moisés Caicedo and Reece James , naturally a right-back, among the options to fill a two-man midfield. Fernández would have provided an ideal partner for either Caicedo or James, offering greater balance and allowing the midfield to function more effectively.
There is also a huge missed opportunity for Chelsea. Fernández could have benefited from working alongside one of the game’s finest defensive midfielders, while Caicedo could have helped elevate a player who cost the club more than £100 million into a genuine superstar at Stamford Bridge.
Winner - Romeo Lavia
Romeo Lavia could be one of the biggest winners from Enzo Fernández’s departure. The Belgian now has a clearer path to regular minutes and a chance to establish himself as a key figure in Xabi Alonso’s midfield. Those minutes could allow a clear path to stay fit and realise his potential. With his technical quality and ability to progress the ball, this could be the opportunity Lavia has been waiting for.
Loser - Premier League
Manchester City spending more than £300 million to rebuild a midfield trio highlights the huge financial power at the top end of the Premier League, particularly with the club still facing outstanding charges. It raises questions about the competitive balance of the league and whether clubs with such resources can continue to outspend and gazump both established rivals and smaller clubs in the market.
Chelsea fans cannot complain too much as a certain Roman Abramovich may get thrown back.
That said, it is difficult to question City’s ability to generate significant revenue when they continue to fill their stadium week in, week out.
Winner - Chelsea English fans
When he cupped his ears in celebration, making sure the disappointment was heard, it stung for England fans everywhere. With the game seemingly in the palm of our hands and a World Cup final only around 20 minutes away, the moment hurt even more for the Chelsea supporters who once sang his name.
Many fans will simply say good riddance. His time at Chelsea had become increasingly difficult to defend, with his controversial comments, links to Real Madrid and the infamous incident in Atlanta all adding to the feeling that his relationship with the club had run its course.
Perhaps the boys down the West End will say good riddance too. His departure may be a bitter one, but it is a wound likely to be felt more deeply on the shores of the United Kingdom than anywhere else in the world where Chelsea supporters wear the badge.
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