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Not satisfied with the burden of being the joint-most expensive signing in Premier League history, Enzo Fernández has sought out even greater pressure by claiming Kevin De Bruyne's legendary No. 17 shirt at Manchester City.
Following a drawn-out transfer saga that nearly ended on sour terms, Fernández eventually departed Chelsea for a staggering $169 million (£125 million). The Argentine international had never donned the No. 17 during his senior club career, predominantly alternating between 13 and 8 throughout his high-profile moves across River Plate, Benfica and Chelsea.
However, with those numbers already claimed in Manchester, Fernández was forced to seek out a fresh digit at the Etihad Stadium. Several options were available in a squad that has seen sweeping changes this summer—Fernández himself being part of an entirely overhauled midfield.
Yet rather than opting for something more straightforward like No. 4, 7 or even Rodri's vacated 16, the World Cup champion has accepted the challenge of living up to the greatest player in City's recent history.
The Impossible Legacy Left by Kevin De Bruyne at Man City
When De Bruyne was first assigned the No. 17 at City back in 2015, his success was far from guaranteed. Despite a standout stint tearing through the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, most English fans still recalled the Belgian as the blond-haired disappointment from Chelsea a few years prior. It took only a matter of months for that narrative to completely change.
"Obviously it is very satisfying. I come here today with a very different view than people had of me last year. It shows that a lot can happen in one year," De Bruyne said with a smile near the end of a debut season that yielded 16 goals and 12 assists. "Everybody had a view of how I came out of Chelsea so, yeah, it gives me satisfaction that people have changed their minds."
De Bruyne's stature in the game would reach extraordinary heights under Pep Guardiola. The duo claimed six Premier League titles across nine seasons together, along with at least one of every other major honour. "The first meeting I ever had with Pep," De Bruyne recalled, "he sat me down and he said, 'Kevin, listen. You can be—easily—a top five player in the world. Top five. Easily.'" It proved to be a remarkably accurate forecast.
Whether Enzo Maresca holds the same conviction in Fernández is yet to be determined, though there is clearly a deep sense of mutual respect between the two.
'Very Important'—Fernandez Explains Motivation Behind Record-Breaking Move
£100m. Twice over. pic.twitter.com/MuPDAM6pAo
Fernández made little effort to conceal his desire to leave Chelsea toward the close of last season, though his preferred destination was evidently Madrid. As the Buenos Aires-born star was quite open about, the Spanish capital is a city he "would like to live" in.
"Players live where they want," he said. "I'd live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I'd be more comfortable in Spanish." Fernández will need to continue managing in his second language in Manchester, though he can at least converse with Maresca—formerly of Sevilla and Málaga—in Spanish.
"He is a top manager, honestly," City's record signing said of his new boss, who spent a total of six years of his playing career in Spain.
"I had him at my previous club. They were incredible moments. I learned so much with him. He's very similar to Latin people, very passionate. So, for me, it's a pleasure to work with him.
"I'm also grateful because he was very important in bringing me here. So it's a huge pleasure for me to work alongside him and enjoy it. To be honest, we were both very eager for it to happen, because it wasn't easy for me to be here today. But I know he also made a big effort, speaking to the club, and I'm grateful that he did that.
"It was a long few days, but in the end I'm here and I'm very happy to be joining this club."