Ben Foster urges Chelsea to retain ‘dirty winner’ Enzo Fernandez

Enzo Fernandez’s future at Chelsea hangs in the balance as former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster argues the Blues must do everything possible to keep the Argentine midfielder, despite his polarising reputation.

Foster backs Fernandez

Ben Foster, the ex‑United stopper, told talkSPORT that “they need to keep him. He’s a little ferret, a horrible, dirty little winner you want in your team.” He believes the Blues should convince the controversial Argentina star to stay at Stamford Bridge, urging Chelsea to look past recent criticism.

Fernandez, 25, sparked speculation of a move to Real Madrid at the end of last season, but the Spanish club issued a statement saying they have “no intention” of signing him. The midfielder’s involvement in the 2026 World Cup, where he helped Argentina reach the final, saw him return to Chelsea for pre‑season training in London.

Price tag and rival interest

With a £120m price tag, Fernandez is one of the most valuable assets in the market. Ben Jacobs of talkSPORT noted that City’s recent £116m signing of Elliot Anderson shows they could meet a nine‑digit fee, while Lille are negotiating for Ayyoub Bouaddi around £100m. Manchester City are also rumored to be considering a move, offering a reunion with former Chelsea boss Maresca.

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Fernandez joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a then British record fee of £106m and netted ten Premier League goals last term, proving his goal‑scoring ability from midfield. Xabi Alonso, the new Blues boss, has publicly expressed a desire to keep him, despite earlier comments that seemed to hint at a departure.

His World Cup conduct has divided opinion. After Argentina’s semi‑final win, he mocked England fans with a social‑media post playing their unofficial “Wonderwall” anthem, and he was sent off in the final against Spain after two quick yellow cards, the second sending Pau Cubarsi airborne. Co‑host Shebahn Aherne called his behaviour “a disgrace,” yet Foster replied, “You want it in your team though.”

Fernandez currently faces an uncertain future in west London, having returned to training this week. So the End game for the Argentine remains unclear; whether Chelsea meets his valuation or he opts for a new challenge in Manchester or elsewhere will shape the next chapter of his career.