City's chase for Fernandez threatens Maresca's fragile legacy

Manchester City have signalled a serious interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine whose conduct has sparked controversy, as new manager Enzo Maresca faces the daunting task of replacing Pep Guardiola; the club must meet Chelsea’s £120 million asking price before the deadline.

City's pursuit and price

Chelsea have set a deadline of 5 pm on Friday for City to submit a bid that matches the £120 million valuation. The deadline coincides with the looming transfer window close on 1 September, adding urgency to the negotiations. If City meet the terms, the deal could be finalised before the window shuts.

Maresca's controversial backing

Two years ago, Maresca defended his choice to appoint Fernandez as Chelsea captain for the opening match of the 2024‑25 season against City, just weeks after Fernandez posted a video mocking the racial heritage of the France team. The decision drew criticism, yet Maresca stood by the midfielder, describing the selection as a tactical move.

Wesley Fofana, Fernandez’s Chelsea teammate, branded the video “uninhibited racism”. Fernandez later issued an apology, but the incident remains a focal point of his reputation.

Implications for City

Fernandez’s disciplinary record includes a club‑imposed suspension at the end of last season after publicly flirting with Real Madrid, and his on‑field antics have contributed to the sacking of former Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior. He has also been sent off in a World Cup final and provoked widespread disgust for his behaviour in the semi‑final against England.

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Real Madrid publicly stated in July that it had made no effort to sign Fernandez and had no intention of pursuing such an operation, underscoring the player’s contentious market status.

The potential acquisition marks a stark contrast to the Guardiola era, when City fielded gifted stars such as Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Rodri and Erling Haaland. Replacing Rodri with Fernandez would signal a shift from the club’s celebrated style and attitude to a more cynical image.

Chelsea finished tenth in the Premier League last season, 33 points behind champions Arsenal, and Fernandez was part of that under‑performance. Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Chelsea appear to be reshaping their transfer policy, making a sale to City a possible step toward balance.

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For Maresca, the decision to pursue Fernandez could make an already difficult job even harder, as the manager must navigate both on‑field expectations and the broader reputation of the club.