It is quite clear that Enzo Fernandez is open to exploring a Chelsea exit this summer. In fact, he has openly talked about wanting to live in Madrid someday, and has never ruled out the possibility of leaving, always keeping that door open. That does not automatically mean that a move will go through unless it is on the Blues’ terms.
Fernandez has a contract until the summer of 2032. That means that Chelsea do have a lot of leverage. And it is believed that they want around £120 million to part ways withs with the Argentine World Cup winner.
Real Madrid are widely believed to be Fernandez’s preferred destination. But nothing at the Bernabeu is expected to happen before the club’s presidential situation is sorted. If Florentino Perez does return, which is widely expected to happen, then a move could be on the cards.
Even then, it would be difficult for Real Madrid to shell out that sort of fee. Some outlets have reported that they are only willing to pay around €100 million to sign Fernandez. Also, players could be included in the deal to make it feasible for Chelsea. Which could those players be? Well, Xabi Alonso was managing them even some months back. So, he will have some favourites for sure.
Real Madrid defender could be key to Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea exit
Arda Guler is one name that has been brought up time and again as a potential choice. But Real Madrid are unlikely to sanction a move for a 21-year-old who is a starter.
Someone whose importance in the team has decreased since Alonso’s exit is Dean Huijsen. He was left on the bench as an unused substitute in the all-important second leg against Bayern Munich.
That was once again the case in the El Clasico in May. So, it looks like Huijsen is not someone that Real Madrid are relying upon at the moment. And with Ibrahima Konate expected to come in this summer, his importance could decrease further.
That opens up the potential for him to be included in the Fernandez deal. Incidentally, Chelsea do need a centre-back and they were eager to sign Huijsen last summer before Real Madrid did.
What Dean Huijsen has said about Xabi Alonso
In November of last year, before facing Liverpool, Huijsen had said:
I fit well with Xabi’s ideas and the club’s plans, and I’m very happy to be here.
Also, when talking about his stylistic fit in Alonso’s team, he had said:
I’m good at playing the ball out from the back and I try to help the team wherever I can. Xabi asks that of me, and more.
It will be very interesting to see if a Huijsen move interests Chelsea and Alonso this summer. Huijsen clearly felt he was a good fit for the Spaniard’s system. And to be fair, he did get regular game time under him.
At Real Madrid, his long-term place is unclear. Of course, it will be very interesting to see what Jose Mourinho thinks, if or when he arrives. But the Portuguese icon is not exactly known to play youngsters in the heart of his defence.
Where would Huijsen fit in at Chelsea? Well, he is capable of playing with both feet so right beside Levi Colwill.
