Xabi Alonso gets food for thought as Argentinian media rave about Enzo Fernandez at World Cup

Enzo Fernandez showed Xabi Alonso what he could end up missing if he leaves Chelsea this summer

Enzo Fernandez has received huge praise from the Argentinian media for his inspiring round of 16 display against Egypt. The Chelsea star headed home the winner in the 93rd minute to complete Argentina’s stunning comeback which booked a quarter-final spot.

Fernandez, who has been repeatedly linked with a move away from west London this summer, will have given Xabi Alonso something to think about as he prepares to lead the Blues into the 2026/27 Premier League season.

While Fernandez admitted on more than one occasion last season that he was interested in leaving Chelsea for Real Madrid, who have a longstanding interest in the midfielder, the decision will ultimately lie with Chelsea and Xabi Alonso.

football.london understands that prior to the World Cup the Blues would have sanctioned the Argentine’s departure for £120m, though this figure will likely only increase should Fernandez’s stellar performances in the World Cup continue.

Fernandez’s highly-anticipated arrival in west London in 2023 came with a British transfer record fee at the time, as the Blues paid Benfica £106.7m for his services three years ago. The Argentine has since emerged as one of Chelsea’s most important players, making 118 appearances in all competitions and scoring 19 goals.

Despite being linked away from the club this summer, the 25-year-old has insisted that he is not concerning himself with his future while across the Atlantic. “I’m not thinking about my future right now,” Fernandez said after sending Egypt home, adding: “I’m here living this moment which is incredible for me.”

“We’ll see after the World Cup.”

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While Fernandez may not be concerned about his future right now, Chelsea and Xabi Alonso will certainly be monitoring the Argentine’s situation, as will a number of potential suitors vying to secure his signature for next season.

Fernandez’s match-winning display has deservedly catapulted his name into the headlines in the Argentinian and Spanish press alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi, who broke down in tears following the completion of the comeback.

The Nation

La Nacion praised Fernandez’s tenacity and character, commending his key contribution to the comeback.

They wrote: “The team desperately needed goals from its midfielders, and Enzo delivered a golden one, heading the ball with his eyes open when the pressure could have easily clouded his judgement.”

La Nacion gave Fernandez an eight out of 10 rating for his performance, as they did for fellow goalscorers Cristian Romero and Messi.

“It was a key contribution to the comeback, showing character and personality.”

Clarin

Despite highlighting that Fernandez did not have his best game in an Argentina shirt, Clarin similarly commended the 25-year-old’s performance and his undeniable impact on the game. “He didn’t have his best game. That’s true. But he still earned a high rating,” Diego Provenzano wrote: “His performance wasn’t outstanding, that’s also true.”

“But he gave his all with heart, courage, desire and conviction. And after securing the victory for the Argentine National Team, who can doubt Enzo Fernandez?”

Provenzano continued his praise for the 25-year-old: “Even with performances below his usual standard, the Chelsea midfielder is key for Scalonata. Lionel Scaloni knows it. That’s why he kept him on the pitch. And the football maestro repaid him with a header that will go down in history.”

“Fernandez showed pure grit and heart to once again leave his mark on a crucial moment for the National Team, (who) overcame all adversity. And Enzo played a key role.”

Sport Newspaper

Spanish publication Diario Sport highlighted Fernandez’s ability to step up in moments that matter for La Albiceleste.

“Enzo Fernandez emerged again in a World Cup, just as he did in Qatar against Mexico, to score the winning goal for the world champions in stoppage time, completing a historic comeback against Egypt,” they said.

Indeed, Messi and Fernandez have emerged as a formidable goalscoring double-act whenever Argentina find themselves on the brink of elimination. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the pair scored a goal apiece versus Mexico to secure Argentina’s qualification for the knockout stages of the tournament, which Scaloni’s side went on to win.

Despite his contribution to the cause, Fernandez gave all the credit to his captain Messi. For Diario, Toni Munar wrote: “Enzo ended up scoring the third goal, but all the credit for the Albiceleste comeback went to the usual one. To Leo Messi, who with a goal and an assist revived his team when everything seemed lost.”

“All the Argentina players adore their captain,” Munar added.

Munar proceeded to assess Fernandez’s future in west London: “Enzo is one of the biggest names circulating in the transfer market.”

“He has been linked with Real Madrid,” Munar wrote, “but despite all the noise surrounding his name, the player remains focused on the World Cup, oblivious to it all.”