Headline: Manchester City Ready to Pursue Enzo Fernandez Transfer from Chelsea
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca is keen to add Enzo Fernandez to his squad, drawing from their time together at Chelsea. Maresca’s deep understanding of the Argentinian international, whom he named captain at Chelsea, underscores his high regard for Fernandez as both a leader and a player.
Recent reports from Mike McGrath of The Telegraph confirm that Manchester City intends to make a bid for Fernandez imminently. Chelsea, however, is reported to be demanding at least £120 million for the midfielder. This potential signing aligns with City’s plans to revamp their midfield, an area they have been focusing on after key exits.
Manchester City have already taken steps to enhance their midfield by signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and are expected to finalize the addition of Ayyoub Bouaddi from Lille soon. Despite these signings, City still faces a significant midfield overhaul following the departures of players such as Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, and Bernardo Silva, with Nico Gonzalez likely to join Newcastle United as well.
Maresca’s previous endorsement of Fernandez highlights his versatility and leadership—qualities that make him an attractive option for City. After a match against Southampton in February 2025, Maresca praised Fernandez’s development, stating, “He behaved as a leader and he is doing top, fantastic.” He emphasized Fernandez’s capacity to perform well in different roles, noting, “Enzo can play in different positions for us, he can play as a six or as an attacking midfielder.”
As Manchester City looks to bolster their squad, Maresca’s appreciation for Fernandez’s capabilities could play a crucial role in their negotiations. However, securing the deal may prove challenging. The club now awaits developments as they aim to integrate a player of Fernandez’s caliber into their midfield strategy.
It is by means a secret that Enzo Maresca wants to add Enzo Fernandez to his Manchester City squad. Maresca knows the Argentinian international intimately from their time together at Chelsea. Maresca worked hand in hand with Enzo Fernandez. A month after Fernandez posted a racist chant on social media, Maresca made Enzo Fernandez his Chelsea captain. Clearly, Maresca has a high opinion of the controversial midfielder as a player and as a leader.
A fresh report has backed up Fabrizio Romano’s report that Manchester City are set to make their move to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea imminently. That news in itself isn’t a surprise. However, it does feel like time to revisit what Maresca thought of Enzo Fernandez while he was Chelsea manager as it could indicate why he is desperate to bring the combative midfielder to the Etihad.
Manchester City are poised to strike in their bid to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea.
Mike McGrath has reported for The Telegraph that Manchester City are set to bid to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea imminently. McGrath further reports that Chelsea will want at least £120 million to part ways with the Argentinian international. McGrath adds that City have long seen Enzo Fernandez as a player who could slot into their midfield rebuild.
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Manchester City have signed Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer to bolster their midfield. Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to see his move to City from Lille made official sooner rather than later. The signing of Bouaddi will further strengthen City’s engine room. However City’s midfield refit isn’t yet complete. So far, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders and Bernardo Silva have all left City and Nico Gonzalez is also likely to sign for Newcastle United in the coming days.
Enzo Maresca has previously had high praise for Enzo Fernandez and the City manager does value the versatility, and quality, that the World Cup winner possesses.
Enzo Maresca holds Enzo Fernandez in high regard as a midfielder and as a leader. The fact that Maresca selected the combative and gifted midfielder to be Chelsea’s captain attests to this. Making such a decision after the racism controversy that Enzo Fernandez was involved does also seem telling.
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The current Manchester City squad is in need of new leaders to emerge following the departures of Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Nathan Ake, and John Stones. This is likely one element of why Maresca wants to bring Fernandez to the Etihad. Although there is no chance of Enzo Fernandez being named in Manchester City’s leadership group.
Enzo Maresca saw first hand the growth of Enzo Fernandez as a leader on the pitch. Speaking after Chelsea beat Southampton 4-0 in February of 2025, he had this to say on Fernandez’s growth as a leader: “He behaved as a leader and he is doing top, fantastic.“
“For sure Enzo has taken a step forward in that sense. He is showing how good a leader he is, how good he is on the ball, how good he is off the ball and we are delighted with him.“
Also, the flexibility and versatility of Enzo Fernandez to fulfil multiple roles in midfield is another aspect of his game that Maresca regards highly. Speaking late in September of 2025, Maresca explained: “Enzo can play in different positions for us, he can play as a six or as an attacking midfielder.“
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“We have used him in 90 per cent of our games as an attacking midfielder, and I think he is very good in this position. But it depends a little bit on what we think of the game plan. Enzo, for us, is an important player and we try to use him as much as we can.“
Final thoughts.
Enzo Maresca’s previous thoughts on Enzo Fernandez as a versatile midfielder and a leader show how highly he regards the Chelsea midfielder. Those are attributes that Maresca wants the Argentinian international to add to his Manchester City squad. Obviously, there is a lot more to the game of Enzo Fernandez than just his leadership and versatility. Also, he is a divisive figure who does court controversy. That cannot be forgotten or overlooked either.
However, first of all Manchester City have to agree a deal to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea. That may not be a straightforward process. But they are pushing to sign him. It now remains to be seen if a player that Maresca values so highly will become a part of his Manchester City midfield rebuild.
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