Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez appears to have given the club hierarchy the green light to make a move for Brighton star Moises Caicedo this summer. The Blues have been heavily linked with a switch for the 21-year-old, who could join a team of youthful Blues by revamping the midfield.
football.london understands that there is a growing confidence at the west London club surrounding a deal for Caicedo in the coming weeks. The price of such a transfer is uncertain though, with some claims that it could be £80million, but with other reports stating it's based on Declan Rice's fee when he leaves West Ham.
A move for Caicedo could help unlock the rest of Chelsea's midfield, which is set for a complete rework over the summer months with Mason Mount, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher all expected to leave. The future of the central ranks is clearly focused around club-record signing Fernandez.
The World Cup winner joined for a British record transfer fee from Benfica in January and despite the Blues struggling in the second half of the season, he showed plenty of promise. However, he was dealt with playing in a deeper role, something that interim manager Frank Lampard claims may not be his best position.
He said earlier this year: "My personal view with Enzo is that he can probably play in all the midfield roles, but seeing him train and play, I get the feeling from him that he has more to offer than as a single No 6. He can play as a double No 6 or as a No 8 where he can join into the game more.
"I haven’t actually asked him that question (his best role). In my time here, it’s just been a fact that he is the most natural No 6 in a midfield that doesn’t have many natural No 6s. Fair play to him, he’s never once said to me, ‘That’s not for me’. His attitude is to do the best for the team, but going forward I think he can join into the game a lot more."
It's something that Fernandez himself is now wanting to pursue as his father, Raul, told the Chelsea Spot: "Next season? My son wants to be a champion! I think [we will see Enzo play further forward]! He was going to ask [Pochettino] to play further advanced.”
It's a request to new boss Mauricio Pochettino that would need to see Chelsea land a new midfielder to play the deeper role, something Caicedo can do naturally. While it remains to be seen whether a deal for the youngster can specifically be completed, it's an area the side must clearly target in the transfer window.
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