Chelsea have four alternative midfield targets if their January transfer swoop for Enzo Fernandez fails, it's been claimed.
The Blues are keen on signing the 21-year-old Benfica and Argentina star when the transfer window opens on January 1, with the Premier League club reportedly ready to pay his eye-watering release clause of €120million (£106m). But as Fernandez's future is still uncertain amid fellow interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid, Chelsea are duly assessing their backup options.
With Stamford Bridge stalwarts N'Golo Kante and Jorginho on course to leave West London next June when their respective contracts expire, manager Graham Potter is already plotting to refresh his midfield. The Athletic report that preparations are well underway, with World Cup -winning Fernandez joined on a shortlist by four players.
To no one's surprise, England sensation Jude Bellingham is admired by the Blues, who'd be battling with nearly every other major European side next summer in a fight to secure his signature. Similarly, West Ham captain Declan Rice is a highly sought-after star, who Chelsea are keen to see return to Stamford Bridge after the club released him as a 14-year-old.
Then there are two lesser-known midfielders mentioned; namely Brighton ace Moises Caicedo and Southampton prodigy Romeo Lavia. Caicedo joined the Seagulls from native Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle in January 2021 amid interest from Man United. Lavia, meanwhile, left Manchester City six months ago in a deal worth up a £14million.
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Potter no-doubt has a hierarchy of preference on those reported targets, but owner Todd Boehly and new sporting director Christopher Vivell will weigh in with their take on any signings. Fernandez still seems the most likely as things stand, though, with Benfica manager Roger Schmidt admitting on Thursday that he'd understand if the Argentine wanted to leave.
"We all know what football is like. These young people have opportunities, and it's not just about Enzo," Schmidt explained. "If they have opportunities, they have to make decisions, and I respect them. I can advise them, but they only have one career. If I can convince them or influence them in a certain way, I try to do it, but I accept their decisions."
As for what Potter has said ahead of the window, the Chelsea boss recently tempered expectations and confessed how difficult he's found January dealings in the past. "I would say the January window isn't so straightforward to find solutions," Potter noted. "From my perspective, the autumn fixture list was an extreme period.
"And I would not want to make too many drastic assessments [on players] based on that extreme period. The team, as I see it, hasn't functioned as maximally as I would have liked – and I think that it can do. I would say the job of the head coach is to focus on the players that are here and make them better. There's room for improvement there for sure."
