Enzo Fernandez is “seriously considering” leaving Chelsea just six months since he arrived at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.
Fernandez, 22, joined the Blues from Benfica for a club-record fee of £106.5 million, ever so slightly more than they paid for Moises Caicedo.
But the Argentine's arrival has struggled to inspire an upturn in Chelsea's form, with Maurico Pochettino's side losing to Nottingham Forest at home last weekend and dropping into the bottom half of the Premier League table.
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And it seems Fernandez could be ready to pack his bags if Chelsea's form does not improve, with the World Cup winner "seriously considering his departure" from west London.
That's according to Spanish outlet Fichajes, who claim that his decision is "partly due to a football level below expectations" and that the midfielder could leave if "the team does not improve" under Pochettino.
Chelsea endured a desperately disappointing 2022/23 campaign which saw them finish 12th in the Premier League table, which saw them miss out on European football.
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And after three matches of the new season, they find themselves in the exact same position, which has left former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson wondering “how long” Fernandez will put up with underwhelming performances before he leaves.
Merson told Sky Sports: "Chelsea have brought in a million players and you think: ‘How do you get a team out of this lot?’ Chelsea is about winning trophies. It’s not Tottenham, trying to get in the top four, but that’s where it’s got to - so quickly, as well.
"Mauricio Pochettino will get it right because he’s a good manager, but it’s going to be hard. If they get in the top four then they will be pulling up trees.
"They’ve bought too many players that are the same. Enzo Fernandez is different class - a cut above the rest. But how long will he stand for this?"
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez, Football, Transfers, Premier League, Mauricio Pochettino, Paul Merson