What is it about Enzo Fernandez, the World Cup, his agents and a stubborn refusal to finish the job in good time?
Back in January 2023, the midfielder’s representatives left it until the final throes of deadline day to seal his transfer to Chelsea. It’s said the final paperwork was submitted with three minutes to spare after a frantic crash course in how to use DocuSign. And there is no way that deal with Benfica would have been worth £106.8million – then a British record – without Fernandez’s performances in football’s biggest shop window.
The 25-year-old announced himself to the world in Qatar, coming off the bench to score a crucial goal against Mexico that helped ensure Argentina’s campaign did not derail inside two games. Fernandez went on to cement a place in Lionel Scaloni’s midfield and help Lionel Messi fill the giant hole in his trophy cabinet. He was named Best Young Player at the tournament.
Three and a half years on? Here we are once more. Against Egypt in the last 16, Fernandez helped dig Messi and Argentina out of another giant hole at the World Cup. Again, it was all left rather late – the midfielder scored in stoppage time as Scaloni’s side came from 2-0 down in the final 11 minutes to setup a quarterfinal against Switzerland in Kansas City. Again, Fernandez’s performances at this World Cup could prove pivotal in shaping his future.
‘It’s the most important goal of my career,’ the midfielder said after beating Egypt. ‘It’s first, and the second is the Mexico one [in 2022]. I’ve been longing for this goal for about three years, ever since the World Cup in Qatar. To be able to experience moments like this — honestly, I thank God. I feel privileged.’
Fernandez was happy to speak about his family, his teammates, his fans. Just not the rumbling clouds overhead. ‘I’m not thinking about my future right now,’ he said. ‘I’m here living this moment which is incredible for me and we’ll see after the World Cup.’
Enzo Fernandez helped dig Argentina out of a hole in their World Cup last-16 tie with Egypt
Fernandez stoppage time header earned a 3-2 comeback victory for the reigning champions
Fernandez was named young player of the tournament and secured a move to Chelsea after Qatar 2022, and four years on the World Cup could be pivitol again in his club future
If only his agent had thought to wait. Instead, Javier Pastore ensured Fernandez’s pursuit of a second World Cup triumph has been engulfed in chaos and embarrassment.
Late last week, and not for the first time, Pastore fuelled speculation of a possible move to Real Madrid, telling reporters in Spain that his client was ‘looking at options to leave Chelsea.’ He also detailed Fernandez’s affection for the Spanish capital.
Then came a Comunicado Oficial that made Pastore look rather silly. The agent, a former Argentina midfielder himself, was out in Miami ahead of his client’s last-32 clash with Cape Verde.
How about this for a 4am alarm call? In a statement, Real ‘categorically denied’ that they are working on a deal for Fernandez, adding that they have ‘no intention of pursuing’ the midfielder. Ouch.
As reported by the Daily Mail, Chelsea value Fernandez – their vice-captain – at £120m and have no shown no sign of budging. Not when the midfielder is under contract until 2032 and the club is laying the first bricks of a new era under Xabi Alonso. Not even after Fernandez fluttered his eyelashes at Madrid.
Back in April, Chelsea suspended the 25-year-old for two weeks over comments that cast doubt on his future. Fernandez had said he ‘didn’t know’ if he would be at Stamford Bridge next season before – twice – hinting that he would like to live in Madrid at some point.
Despite all this nonsense and all this noise, Chelsea have not shut the door on Fernandez. He is expected to report for pre-season. Alonso this week began work at Cobham – with players not at the World Cup – and on Thursday, the new manager sent a message to his squad.
‘You can’t hold back anything, everything is for the team,’ Alonso said in his first interview since succeeding Liam Rosenior. ‘Hard work is a must. We need to create that culture, it starts here in a daily process at Cobham.’
Real Madrid have distanced themselves from a move for Fernandez, whose club future remains uncertain this summer
He added: ‘The potential of the team and squad made me really excited, to find a squad to work with, create a football idea, bring excitement to the stadium and connect with the fans… it’s a big privilege to be a part [of this club] and now it’s [about] looking forward to the challenge.’
For now, Fernandez has Switzerland to worry about. Argentina have so far laboured through the knockout rounds – before their dramatic comeback against Egypt, Scaloni’s side needed extra time to beat Cape Verde. Should Messi and Co squeeze past Switzerland, too, England or Norway await in the last four.
So, who knows where this summer will take Fernandez next – with club or country. All that seems certain? We won’t find out until right at the death.
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