Rangers · Friendlies · Defender · #37 · England · 24 yrs
Manchester City have agreed to make Fernandez the joint-most expensive signing in British football history, but the £125m midfielder can appear petulant, selfish and undisciplined, writes Richard Jolly, and presents problems that are tactical and financial
Liverpool legend and ex-England defender Jamie Carragher (Picture: Sky Sports) Jamie Carragher believes only one team are capable of dethroning Premier League champions Arsenal after a chaotic end to the summer transfer window. Premier League clubs broken the all-time summer transfer record for the second successive season after spending reached a staggering £3.46bn. Almost £500m was spent on deadline day alone, with Manchester City making Enzo Fernandez the joint-most expensive player in Premier League history in a £125m deal with Chelsea. Man City were the biggest spenders over the summer, with almost £400m splashed out on a host of new signings following Pep Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. The deal for Fernandez was the result of months of negotiations and Carragher says the transfer not only boosts Manchester City’s title hopes but harms Chelsea’s credentials. Many pundits have named Chelsea as dark horses to win the Premier League after two thrilling wins under new boss Xabi Alonso. But Carragher says losing ‘big player’ Fernandez is a significant blow and means Man City are the only realistic title rivals for defending champions Arsenal. Enzo Fernandez left Chelsea to join Man City (Picture: Getty) ‘Myself and plenty of others have felt Chelsea will have a really good season,’ Carragher told Sky Sports. ‘And I still believe that a lot of that is on the back of not having European football, having a new manager, the front three that they’ve got. ‘But they’re losing Enzo Fernandez, who, for me has been one of the big players for Chelsea. ‘Manchester City look a lot stronger now. I would say they’re going to be the biggest challenges to Arsenal right now. BTS 📸 pic.twitter.com/Aj7I4zoRwE— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2026 ‘It is a really good squad. There’s no doubt about that. There’s been a lot of turnover. Losing Rodri was a big thing and I thought it would be really difficult to recover from that. ‘But if you said at the end of last season, they would bring in Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez, you’d say, that’s a top midfield. They’ve paid top dollar for it, so it should be. ‘That gives them the greatest chance of being the main challengers and maybe the only team who can really wrestle this title from Arsenal.’ Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso is hoping to mount a title challenge (Picture: Getty) Fernandez had been a mainstay in the Chelsea team since his £107m move from Benfica in 2023 but made it clear earlier in the summer that he wanted to leave. Following his move to the Etihad Stadium, Fernandez said on social media: ‘I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. ‘The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place. Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club. https://www.instagram.com/p/DcwopJYh4kL/ ‘Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and with bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves. ‘We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones. ‘I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart. Arsenal won the Premier League last season (Picture: Getty) ‘But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. ‘I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart. ‘But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are,
Chelsea failed with a late attempt to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after the Cherries refused to entertain a deadline-day sale of the 23-year-old. The Blues had identified Scott as one of their leading options to strengthen midfield once Enzo Fernandez’s move to Manchester City became increasingly likely. Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as […] The post Chelsea failed in late move for Englishman to replace Enzo Fernandez appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Former Man Utd and England midfielder Paul Scholes (Picture: YouTube) Paul Scholes believes Chelsea have ‘ruined’ their chances of challenging for the Premier League title by selling Enzo Fernandez. Manchester City completed a stunning £125m deal for Fernandez on transfer deadline day, making the Argentine the joint-most expensive player in Premier League history. Fernandez has been one of the most influential players at Stamford Bridge since his £107m move from Benfica in 2023 but made it clear earlier in the summer that he wanted to leave. Man City missed Chelsea’s deadline to buy Fernandez for £120m last month but continued negotiations with the Blues before finally making a breakthrough just hours before the transfer deadline. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. Fernandez was keen to secure a dream move to Real Madrid during the World Cup but also approved a switch to Man City, where he will play under ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. The 25-year-old was left out of Chelsea’s first two Premier League games of the season and could make his Man City debut in Saturday’s clash against Coventry City. Scholes, one of the best midfielders of his generation, says he ‘wasn’t a massive fan’ of Fernandez when he first arrived in England but now views him as a ‘brilliant player’ and a huge loss to Chelsea. Enzo Fernandez left Chelsea to join Man City (Picture: Getty) Xabi Alonso’s side have been widely tipped as dark horses for the Premier League title but Scholes cannot see Chelsea challenging defending champions Arsenal, who they face this weekend, without Fernandez. ‘I don’t think he was unhappy at Chelsea but he had his head turned by Manchester City,’ Manchester United legend and ex-England midfielder Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. ‘But if Chelsea want to win the Premier League which, look, I don’t think they can anyway, but they can’t let Enzo Fernandez go. https://www.instagram.com/p/DcwxDJdDGvo/?img_index=1 ‘They had Malo Gusto in midfield the other day, that’s not going to be good enough. Reece James has started in midfield, that’s not going to be good enough. ‘I wasn’t a massive fan of Enzo when he first came but he’s grown on me and now he’s a brilliant player. He would be very good for Man City but Chelsea can’t let it happen, that is a direct rival. ‘City have already had Chelsea’s pants down with the manger, they obviously unsettled him and were talking to him about coming in the summer. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty) ‘That ruined Chelsea’s season really because they were flying at the time, they were going really well. If Enzo Fernandez goes to Manchester City, that could potentially ruin Chelsea’s season again.’ After moving to the Etihad Stadium in an eye-watering £125m transfer, Fernandez said: ‘Manchester City are the most successful club in England in recent times. ‘Every player wants to be part of a club like this because everyone knows how well-run City are. ‘I could not be happier to be here, and I am ready for the challenge of helping City continue winning trophies. This is a club built for success. ‘If you look across the squad, City have quality in every area. I want to learn from my new teammates and become a better player. ‘I pride myself on continually improving my game. Anyone who’s worked with me will know how hard I train every single day and how much I put into matches. ‘I give absolutely everything and I can promise Manchester City that will continue now I’m here.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
With his move to Manchester City, ENzo Fernandez surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in total career transfer fees generated, but still trails Neymar's record at the top. Enzo Fernandez completed a blockbuster transfer to Manchester City on transfer deadline day of the 2026 summer window, with Chelsea collecting a massive fee in the transaction. Factoring in his entire career history, the Argentine international has officially surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo in total career transfer fees generated, though he remains well behind the all-time standard established by Neymar. As reported by David Ornstein of The Athletic on Tuesday, August 1, Manchester City and Chelsea reached an agreement for the transfer of Enzo Fernandez for £125 million (€145 million / $169 million USD). The move elevates Fernandez into a tie for the fourth-most expensive individual transfer in soccer history alongside Alexander Isak following his move from Newcastle United to Liverpool. Despite Chelsea’s previous £120 million valuation window expiring earlier in the summer, head coach Enzo Maresca, who maintains a strong relationship with the midfielder, pushed aggressively to finalize the deal. Manchester City accelerated negotiations to lock down the signing, formally introducing him across their social channels on Tuesday night. Manchester City will become Fernandez’s fifth professional club, though only three of his moves required transfer payments. A product of the River Plate academy, Benfica acquired the midfielder for €44.25 million in July 2022 before Chelsea paid €121 million to bring him to England in January 2023. Manchester City’s latest outlay of €145 million pushes his cumulative transfer volume to €310.25 million ($360.6 million USD). Introducing our new Argentinian Blue 🇦🇷🩵 pic.twitter.com/nEHQ1oM855— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 1, 2026 Enzo Fernandez surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo’s mark Cristiano Ronaldo once held the title of the most expensive transfer in soccer history following his landmark 2009 move from Manchester United to Real Madrid. While Neymar eventually claimed that record, Fernandez’s latest move allows the 25-year-old playmaker to pass the Portuguese legend in career transfer volume. Rising through Sporting CP’s youth system, Manchester United signed Ronaldo for €19 million in 2003 before Real Madrid shattered the global transfer record by paying €94 million in 2009. Juventus made a blockbuster €117 million move to acquire him in 2018, and Manchester United paid €17 million to secure his return in 2021. Ronaldo’s subsequent move to Al Nassr in December 2022 occurred as a free agent following his contract termination with Manchester United, meaning no transfer fee was exchanged. Across five paid transfers, Ronaldo generated €247 million ($286.5 million USD) in fees, a mark now passed by Fernandez following his arrival at Etihad Stadium. Neymar remains firmly in the top spot Neymar‘s 2017 move from FC Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain set the record for the highest transfer fee ever paid for a soccer player when the French club activated his €222 million ($257.5 million USD) buyout clause. That figure remains untouched at the top of the single-transfer leaderboard and is unlikely to be challenged in the immediate future. Combined with his other moves, the Brazilian icon stands comfortably clear atop the career transfer volume rankings. Neymar poses with PSG’s jersey next to president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. (Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images) After breaking through at Santos, Barcelona acquired Neymar for €88 million in 2013, followed by his €222 million move to PSG and a subsequent €90 million transfer to Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. Although his 2025 return to Santos was completed on a free transfer, Neymar has generated €400 million ($464 million USD) in cumulative transfer fees throughout his career. Second place on the all-time career list belongs to Romelu Lukaku, who has accumulated €375.92 million ($436.1 million USD) across 10 career t
With a final decision pending on his renewal, Lionel Scaloni has reportedly chosen the Argentina player who will inherit Lionel Messi's No. 10 if he continues as head coach. Lionel Messi dropped one of the biggest bombshells in modern sports history by announcing his retirement from the Argentina national team, leaving the iconic No. 10 jersey vacant. While his own contract extension remains finalized through the next cycle, head coach Lionel Scaloni has reportedly selected who will inherit Messi’s shirt if he remains at the helm. The 2026 World Cup marked the end of an era for the Albiceleste roster, with Nicolas Otamendi and Messi, the final remaining holdovers from the 2014 World Cup squad in Brazil, officially stepping away. Another pressing question centers on who will steer the national team project toward the 2030 World Cup, given that Scaloni’s existing deal runs through December 2026. The upcoming autumn international window approaches with national teams scheduled to play up to 4 games across late September and October. November will bring another FIFA window, which could represent Scaloni’s final matches in charge unless an extension is finalized, though his succession plan for the No. 10 shirt is already set. According to reporting from ESPN Argentina insider Federico Bueno, Scaloni has chosen midfielder Nico Paz to take over the No. 10 jersey for the national team. It will mark the first time the playmaker wears the number for the senior team, having donned No. 18 since his initial call-up. Lionel Messi of Argentina greeting teammate Nico Paz. (Daniel Jayo/Getty Images) Following Messi’s announcement, several established stars were pitched as candidates for the shirt, including consolidated starters Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister. However, Scaloni’s long-term bet for the post-Messi era rests on Paz taking the mantle if the manager signs his contract renewal. Across 11 appearances with Argentina, including two at the 2026 World Cup, Paz wore No. 18 for the national team, mirroring Messi’s initial shirt assignment between 2004 and 2008. The 21-year-old already possesses experience wearing the No. 10 at the club level, having taken the shirt at Como 1907 starting in 2025-26, registering 13 goals and seven assists across 42 matches while powering the Italian side to UEFA Champions League qualification for the first time in club history. Messi passes the baton after 17 years Back on March 28, 2009, during Diego Maradona’s managerial debut, Lionel Messi wore Argentina’s No. 10 jersey for the first time, holding exclusive ownership of the shirt whenever available from that moment forward. After 17 years carrying the mantle, the longest stretch by any player in national team history, the Inter Miami star now passes the baton to the next generation. Messi stands as the all-time leader in matches played as Argentina’s No. 10 with 172 appearances, more than doubling Diego Maradona‘s second-place tally of 85. The top five is rounded out by Ariel Ortega (59 games), Juan Roman Riquelme (29 games), and Marcelo Gallardo (15 caps). No current player on Argentina squad has worn No. 10 Throughout Messi’s 17-year tenure, only 17 other players ever wore the No. 10 shirt during his rare absences, with Sergio Aguero donning it the most across just seven matches. Out of respect for Messi, the shirt was left unassigned in 28 separate matches, leaving no active player on the current roster with experience wearing it. Franco Mastantuono of Argentina using the No. 10 jersey. (Franklin Jacome/Getty Images) Looking at the 25-man roster Scaloni assembled for the 2026 World Cup, not a single player other than Messi has ever worn the shirt for the senior team. The last player outside of Messi to wear it was Franco Mastantuono, but following a dip in form before his loan move to Fiorentina, the midfielder was left off the tournament squad.
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
