ไทย
English
中國人
Enzo Fernández has not closed the door on a potential exit from Chelsea when the season concludes, even as he confirmed there are "zero talks" currently taking place with reported admirer Real Madrid.
The Argentine international has raised questions about his long-term future at Stamford Bridge in recent weeks. His initial reaction to reports of a possible Chelsea departure did little to reassure supporters, offering only a vague "we'll see" in response.
The midfielder has since stated he feels "very comfortable" at Chelsea, while head coach Liam Rosenior insisted the vice-captain is "fully committed" to the club, adding that his earlier comments had been "misconstrued" due to translation and emotion.
Nevertheless, Fernández went on to admit that Enzo Maresca's abrupt mid-season departure "hurt" the squad, hinting that he may not be entirely satisfied with the current situation—Chelsea are also at genuine risk of failing to secure Champions League football next campaign.
The 2022 World Cup champion appears to be keeping his options open, intent on weighing up what lies ahead.
Enzo Fernández Still Refuses to Commit to Chelsea
"Nothing, zero talks [with Real Madrid]. I'm focused on Chelsea and what remains of the season. After the World Cup, we'll see," Fernández told TyC Sports upon returning to Argentina during the current international break.
While no active transfer discussions appear to be underway at this moment, his comments fall well short of a declaration of loyalty to Chelsea—a stark contrast to Vitinha, who faces similar links to Real Madrid. "It would be silly to leave [Paris Saint-Germain], I don't think it's the best thing for me," the Portuguese playmaker said when addressing his own future.
Real Madrid are in need of midfield reinforcements heading into next season, yet splashing large sums on individual transfer fees has been relatively uncommon for the club in recent years. Los Blancos also have defensive needs to address, which will only stretch their summer budget further.
Is Enzo Fernández Angling for a Better Salary?
Whether he stays at Chelsea or moves on, one driving factor for Fernández could be landing a more lucrative financial deal than his current arrangement. The Times reports that he is "keen" to secure a new contract with "improved terms."
Stoking transfer speculation and withholding commitment to a club is a well-worn strategy in contract negotiations. Mohamed Salah repeatedly applied public pressure on Liverpool throughout last season and ultimately walked away with the richest deal of his career.
Fernández is not among the top earners in the Premier League, reportedly taking home around $248,000 (£185,000) per week—roughly $400,000 less than Salah earns every seven days. That said, following the costly Raheem Sterling contract signed in 2022—which was only recently terminated—Chelsea have overhauled their approach to player wages.
Even their top performers receive a relatively modest base salary, supplemented by performance-based bonuses. It's a principled and equitable model, as players must genuinely earn their maximum pay. However, since not every club operates this way, there is always a risk that players are tempted by the prospect of higher guaranteed earnings elsewhere.
Chelsea may be reluctant to offer Fernández a deal with a greater share of guaranteed pay, given the club's rigid wage structure, which is designed to prevent any one player from becoming a disproportionately high earner and potentially disrupting squad harmony.
Fernández's bargaining position is also weakened by the fact that he remains under contract at Chelsea until 2032. While he could attempt to court interest from rival clubs at home and abroad, the apparent absence of serious suitors means he is not negotiating from a position of particular strength.