Enzo Fernandez has been consistently linked with a move away from Chelsea at the end of the season.
Naturally, they are now looking at potential alternatives to the Argentine International. Fernandez has been exceptional for Chelsea since joining the club, with 18 goal contributions this season. Replacing him will not be easy. According to reports from Spain, Chelsea are now interested in the West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Fernandes has also been linked with Manchester United.
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Mateus Fernandes has been outstanding
The 21-year-old has been outstanding for the London club and has impressed with his tenacious style of play. The Portuguese midfielder has the technical attributes to succeed at a higher level and could be an outstanding addition to Chelsea.
However, he has a different skill set from that of Fernandez. While the Chelsea midfielder adds more control, creativity, and goals, Fernandes will bring physicality, defensive cover, and composure in the middle of the park. He could form a solid partnership with Moises Caicedo. Fernandes and Caicedo in the middle of the park will certainly help Chelsea tighten up defensively.
They have been poor at the back, and the arrival of the 21-year-old midfielder could help them improve on that front. Chelsea have let in 38 goals in 31 league matches this season.
However, they will need to replace the creativity and goals of Fernandez if they decide to let him leave. The Chelsea midfielder has been heavily linked with Real Madrid in recent months. It will be interesting to see where he ends up.
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Fernandes asking price revealed
Meanwhile, Fernandes could cost around £75 million at the end of the season. West Ham are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and the 21-year-old could be attracted to the idea of joining a bigger club. If West Ham go down at the end of the season, it will only complicate their job of holding on to their key players.