The Argentina international, signed for a British-record £107 million from Benfica in 2023, has reportedly become unsettled by Maresca’s abrupt departure and the subsequent appointment of Liam Rosenior. Multiple French and English outlets, including L’Équipe and various UK publications, indicate Fernández forged a strong professional bond with Maresca, who handed him the captaincy and helped him thrive in a more central, creative role. Under the Italian, Fernández was pivotal in Chelsea’s successes, including the UEFA Conference League triumph and FIFA Club World Cup win last summer.
Following Maresca’s exit—confirmed as a mutual parting amid a breakdown in relations, poor domestic form (one win in seven Premier League games), and reported disagreements over medical support, player management, and tactical direction—Fernández publicly thanked his former boss on social media: “Mister, thank you for everything shared and experienced during this stage, I learned a lot and I value every advice and experience.” This heartfelt message contrasted with the silence from some teammates, fueling speculation about his dissatisfaction.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have now emerged as a prime destination, with the Ligue 1 giants viewing Fernández as a long-term target to bolster their midfield. Reports suggest PSG are “weighing up a move” and could make an approach in the coming months, potentially as early as this summer when Fernández’s contract dynamics might shift. The French champions, fresh from a Champions League win in 2024-25 but a Club World Cup final loss to Chelsea under Maresca, see the 24-year-old’s World Cup-winning pedigree, vision, and passing range as ideal for their project.
This development is particularly painful for Chelsea fans given Fernández’s status as a cornerstone of the post-takeover rebuild under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. His leadership on the pitch—evident in recent incidents like the post-match scuffle with Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi after the 3-2 Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg defeat—has been a positive amid broader instability. Losing him would represent a major setback for Rosenior, who is still settling in after taking over from Strasbourg (another BlueCo-owned club) and faces immediate challenges like defensive reinforcements and stabilizing results.
Chelsea’s January window has been quiet so far, focused on potential outgoings (e.g., Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi still on the fringes, and minor loans/returns) rather than blockbuster moves. No bids for Fernández have been confirmed, and any departure would likely be targeted for the summer to maximize value rather than a mid-season fire sale. However, the uncertainty has intensified fan anxiety, with discussions on platforms like X highlighting fears that repeated managerial changes are eroding squad cohesion and player loyalty.
Rosenior has emphasized patience and giving current players opportunities to impress, while stressing any incomings must be the “right fit.” In public comments, he has avoided direct speculation on individuals like Fernández, focusing instead on team unity amid a virus outbreak affecting players and a demanding schedule (including the Arsenal second leg and Premier League clashes).
The timing couldn’t be worse for the Blues, sitting mid-table domestically despite cup progress and global successes under Maresca. Fernández’s potential exit would signal deeper issues in the project’s stability, with supporters already voicing frustration over the managerial turnover (Maresca being the latest in a line since 2022). Whether PSG or others force Chelsea’s hand remains to be seen, but this afternoon’s reports have hit hard, underscoring the fragility of the current era at Stamford Bridge.
For now, no official statements from the club or player confirm an imminent move, but the links have injected fresh drama into an already turbulent January. Chelsea’s hierarchy will hope to resolve internal matters swiftly to retain their £107m asset and build under Rosenior. (Word count: 852)
