“There Is Simply No Room”

Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly says “there is simply no room” for Enzo Fernandez in Real Madrid’s starting lineup.

The Argentinian international has excelled as a no.10 for the Blues, but speaking to Sportscasting.comDesailly said that Real head coach Jose Mourinho would ask him to play in a deeper-lying role, which he has not played at club level for quite some time:

“I don’t think Enzo Fernandez is the right fit for Real Madrid. He’s a great player, but after the experience he has had at Chelsea, I don’t see how he is capable of adapting – I can’t see him doing the work of a number 4 or a number 6 in club football, and that is what he should be doing, because in my opinion, that is his best role.”

“Under Mourinho at Real Madrid, he would have to adapt and be prepared to do that defensive workload that he typically does with Argentina, which he was not used to at club level because at Chelsea they spoiled him. He is a player who has the quality to go to Madrid, but can he adapt and put in a defensive workload to be effective?”

“Madrid has that Turkish player, Arda Güler, and Bellingham is also demanding to be one of the offensive players, along with Rodrygo, Mbappe, and Vinicius – you understand? There is simply no room for Fernandez to go to Real Madrid and expect to play as an offensive player.”

Fernandez could well stay at Stamford Bridge

Asked about his future following Argentina’s win over Egypt on Tuesday, Fernandez remain tight-lipped:

“I’m not thinking about my future now. I’m here living this moment that is incredible for me and after the World Cup, we’ll see.”

Following Real Madrid’s statement that they have “no intention” of signing the 25-year-old, though, it seems more than likely that he will stay with the Blues beyond the summer transfer window.

There have been reports that Manchester City and Arsenal are interested in Fernandezbut you can’t see either team meeting his £120m asking price, even if Xabi Alonso’s side were willing to consider bids from Premier League rivals.

He has thrived at Chelsea as an attacking midfielder

While Desaily has pointed out that Fernandez has been used in a more withdrawn role for his country, it is very clear that he is best deployed in more advanced areas.

The midfielder found the back of the net 15 times in all competitions last season, as well as contributing 7 assists.

You do lose a lot of Fernandez’s game when he is deployed as a holding midfielder, and Alonso should be using it as part of his argument if he does try to convince the player to remain at Stamford Bridge.