Manchester City signing Enzo Fernandez could haunt Chelsea, says Scholes

Paul Scholes believes Chelsea could see their Premier League title hopes damaged for a second successive season after allowing Enzo Fernandez to join Manchester City.

Manchester City completed the signing of the Argentina midfielder for £125m on the final day of the transfer window. The 25-year-old missed Chelsea’s opening two league matches of the season and could make his debut for Manchester City against Coventry City on Saturday.

Scholes, the former Manchester United midfielder, admitted he was not a major admirer of Fernandez when he first arrived in England. However, he said the player had gradually changed his opinion and had developed into an outstanding midfielder.

The departure, Scholes argued, leaves Chelsea weaker while strengthening one of their direct rivals for the Premier League title.

“I don’t think he was unhappy at Chelsea, but Manchester City changed his mind,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

He added: “If Chelsea want to win the Premier League, which I don’t think they are capable of doing anyway, they cannot allow Enzo Fernandez to be sold.”

Chelsea have recently used Malo Gusto in midfield, while Reece James has also started some matches in a central role. Scholes believes neither solution can replace Fernandez’s influence.

“They have played Malo Gusto in midfield recently and that will not be enough,” he said. “Reece James has also started some games in midfield, and that will not be enough either.”

Scholes continued: “I was not one of Enzo’s biggest admirers when he arrived, but over time he won me over and he has now become a fantastic player. He will be an excellent addition to Manchester City, but Chelsea cannot allow the deal to happen because City are a direct competitor.”

The comments, reported by Metro, come as Chelsea prepare to lose a player who became an important part of their midfield after joining the club.

Scholes also drew a comparison with what he described as Manchester City’s earlier blow to Chelsea involving Enzo Maresca. He said City had already embarrassed Chelsea in relation to the managerial situation, claiming they had spoken to Maresca about taking charge during the summer.

“City have already embarrassed Chelsea in the manager situation,” Scholes said. “It is obvious they spoke to him about taking the job during the summer.”

According to Scholes, that episode had already damaged Chelsea’s previous campaign, despite the team producing excellent performances and making strong progress at that stage of the season.

“That already destroyed Chelsea’s season last year because the team were playing brilliantly at the time and were doing very well,” he said.

He ended his warning with a stark prediction about Fernandez’s move to Manchester City.

“Enzo Fernandez moving to Manchester City could destroy Chelsea’s season again,” Scholes said.