The Hard Tackle lists three players Chelsea should target as Enzo Fernandez alternatives, as the Argentine might not arrive at Stamford Bridge this month.
The Todd Boehly regime has delivered mixed results for Chelsea in the transfer market. While the Blues have brought in several players, there is no sense of stability at Stamford Bridge. In addition, the untimely sacking of Thomas Tuchel created much furore, even though Graham Potter is a top-class manager.
None of Chelsea’s summer signings has been successful thus far, with only Raheem Sterling coming close to making his mark. But that has not deterred Boehly from continuing to splash the money in the January transfer window. And the west Londoners have also signed multiple players this month, with Benoit Badiashile being the most notable arrival.
But Boehly is not done yet, as he wants to bring in a midfielder and an attacker this month. And Enzo Fernandez has been Chelsea’s top target to bolster the midfield unit in the January transfer window. Widespread reports also suggested that Chelsea had reached an agreement to sign the Argentine international. But the latest update has come as a crushing blow for them.
Talks between Chelsea and Benfica have stalled, with the Portuguese giants adamant they will only part ways with Fernandez if a suitor triggers his release clause, worth €120 million. And to add to the Blues’ woes, Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has lashed out at them for their tactics to snap up the player.
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt accuses Chelsea of "disrespecting" Benfica and "pretending they can pay the [release] clause" before trying to negotiate a fee. Schmidt adds #CFC have made Enzo Fernandez "crazy" and says he "cannot accept what they are doing". pic.twitter.com/brYoRVQV9S
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 5, 2023
With the transfer looking unlikely as things stand, Chelsea might need to refocus and decipher a Plan B. And with that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists three alternatives to Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea to pursue before the January transfer window shuts down.
Alexis Mac Allister
From one tough prospect in the transfer market to another. From one 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning Argentine to another. We are talking about Alexis Mac Allister, who has become another highly sought-after player in the market following La Albiceleste’s triumphant campaign in Qatar.
Mac Allister had gone under the radar for much of his career at the club level, with top outfits not usually looking at him as a midfield solution. But the 24-year-old has showcased his talent at the top level to become a hot property in the market. And he can solve Chelsea’s issues in the middle of the park.
Welcoming back our World Cup winner! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/Bb2MoZmf2B
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 2, 2023
Like Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister is a multi-faceted midfielder who can seamlessly slot into the Chelsea midfield. The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder can be combative in the middle of the park to fill N’Golo Kante’s void. He can also carry the ball forward with confidence while slicing the opposition’s defence with ease.
In addition, Mac Allister also provides a goal threat with his clever movement on and off the ball. But Brighton, like Benfica, will put up stumbling blocks to stop Chelsea from signing him. In addition, the Blues face stiff competition from several English rivals, with Arsenal, Tottenham, and Liverpool keen on signing him. Nonetheless, the 24-year-old is an option worth considering.
Kouadio Kone
While Mac Allister can solve multiple issues in the Chelsea midfield with his arrival, our next candidate will fix only one problem for the west London club. But this player can be a decade-long solution in the middle of the park. We are talking about Kouadio Kone.
The Frenchman is only 21 years old and has bags of potential. So he can be a fixture in the Chelsea midfield for much of the coming decade if he continues on his upward trajectory. And while he will not slice open opposition defences, Kone can shore up the Chelsea midfield, unlike few other options in the market.
https://t.co/Yfy6tEq6wC pic.twitter.com/oHZt5Hq9fY
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 1, 2023
The 21-year-old is comfortable sitting at the base of the midfield unit, enabling the other midfielders to express themselves. But Kone is also adept enough with the ball at his feet to find teammates in pockets of space easily. In addition, he likes to shoot from range and will provide a goal threat, even if he won’t be an elite creator.
The most appealing aspect of pursuing the Frenchman will be straightforward availability. But Chelsea will have to fend off competition from Premier League rivals like Liverpool and Newcastle United for the youngster. Nonetheless, Kone is an ideal candidate to fix one of a myriad of issues at Chelsea.
Rodrigo De Paul
The final suggestion may appear as left-field for many. After all, the said candidate is among the least attractive of the 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning players in the market. But Rodrigo De Paul is an option that can fix multiple issues in the Chelsea midfield.
The 28-year-old’s stock has plummetted considerably since joining Atletico Madrid 18 months ago. But it is easy to forget that he was one of the best players in Serie A before he moved to the Civitas Metropolitano. And De Paul was an elite creator and goalscorer during his spell at Udinese.
Playing under Diego Simeone has reduced the Argentine international into a shell of the player he was at Udinese. In addition, De Paul has a combative approach while representing his nation at the international level. But he has more to his game than meets the eye for club and country.
The 28-year-old likes to set up chances for his teammates while troubling the opposition goalkeeper with efforts from range. That he can get stuck in and take the game to his opponent is an added advantage. And Graham Potter is the ideal manager to help De Paul harness his strengths. While Tottenham might compete with Chelsea for him, the Blues should fancy their chances.
