Enzo Fernandes raises the bar in big games – and no bigger than the World Cup, where the Chelsea star takes advantage of the best stage to flirt with Real Madrid
Enzo Fernandes is keen on a move to Real Madrid and could secure a move this summer (Image: Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandes was not asked about his future during the build-up to Argentina’s World Cup win over Austria. However, it seems destined to end up in Madrid, the capital of Spain.
Real Madrid is the biggest club stage on the planet. And on the evidence of Fernandes’ latest performance here at the World Cup, he deserves to be in it.
Returning Real manager Jose Mourinho has identified the Chelsea midfielder as one of his main targets in the summer. Mourinho, who has watched Real endure successive unsuccessful seasons, knows they need a new backbone.
There is plenty to celebrate the talents of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior, provided the rift with Mourinho is repaired. And there are few players who can offer that better than Fernandes at the highest level. Lionel Messi may be making headlines again in Dallas.
It should have been, given the fact that he became the highest scorer in World Cup history. However, Fernandes’ contribution cannot be underestimated.
In a world of dark arts and dirty work, Fernandez comes into his own. If there’s a problem, he’s usually in the middle of it. He’s a bit like the manager he’s about to join. He stopped plays, started plays, and cherished the ball as if it were his only. He ruled the midfield like an enforcer.
Fernandes can be in perpetual motion when he wants to. He can also be moody. As Chelsea sometimes noticed. Chelsea will do everything they can to prevent Martinez from leaving Stamford Bridge. However, new manager Xabi Alonso will feel helpless.
He is walking into a scenario over which he has little or no control. Due to the failures of his previous players, he cannot offer Fernandes any European football at all.
Enzo Fernandes may have played his last game for Chelsea (Image: Getty)
Mourinho could offer him Champions League football, but the club have won the Champions League 15 times and will be favorites to win it again next season.
Few would blame Fernandes for warning him against going to Madrid. Because it’s almost impossible for him to offer a reason not to do so. It was disrespectful of Fernandes to carry his colors on the mast a few months ago, in what has been a difficult season for him and for Chelsea.
But there is little to no loyalty in the game right now. And at least Chelsea can take some solace from the fact that as things stand, Fernandes adds significant value to his potential price tag.
When he joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023, his transfer fee was £106 million, a British record at the time. Chelsea will therefore be looking to make a big profit in terms of cash.
And when Fernandez gets what he wants, he gets the cash. Because appearing for Real remains the pinnacle of any player’s club career.
Sign up now for the Make Football Great Again newsletter and get the latest World Cup news straight to your inbox!
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can always check out. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Upgrade your World Cup TV setup with Sky Glass ‘designed for soccer’
From £4.50
sky
Get the deal here
Sky is marking the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 20% discount on its entire range of glass TVs. Until June 17, shoppers can upgrade to a Sky smart TV ‘designed for football’ from £4.50 a month when taken with a Sky TV and Netflix package.
