Enzo Fernandez has suggested Manchester City represent a step up from Chelsea after completing his deadline-day move to the Premier League champions.
The Argentina midfielder joined City in a British record-equalling £125 million deal, ending his three-and-a-half-year spell at Stamford Bridge. In his first interview with his new club, Fernandez said he had always dreamed of playing for a club of City’s stature -- comments that could be read as a subtle dig at his former employers.
“I’m really happy to be here. I always dreamed of being at a club as big as City,” the 25-year-old told the club’s website.
While Arsenal are the reigning Premier League champions, City have won the title eight times since 2011, most recently in 2023-24, and also have a Champions League title. Chelsea, meanwhile, have won the Premier League five times this century, most recently in 2015-16, but failed to qualify for this season’s Champions League -- a competition they have won twice.
Fernandez, who won the Club World Cup and UEFA Conference League with the London club, now believes he has joined a side capable of adding more major honours.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity. It’s a very emotional moment for me and my family, to take this step at 25 years old, in a football career that I always dreamed of,” he said.
“I’m so happy to be here, enjoying these first few hours I’ve had at the club. I can already see just how big it is and we will enjoy ourselves and win lots of things together.”
Fernandez’s rise to the top has been remarkably swift. He was one of Argentina’s breakthrough players at the 2022 World Cup, helping Lionel Scaloni’s side win their third world title in Qatar. His performances earned him the tournament’s Young Player award and helped trigger his move from Benfica to Chelsea for a British-record £106.8 million in January 2023.
He played another major role in Argentina’s run to the 2026 World Cup final, scoring against England in the semifinal in US.
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His latest move means Fernandez is now the only player to have crossed the £100 million transfer barrier twice, with his two moves both commanding fees above the landmark figure.
Fernandez also said he had no hesitation about joining City once the club made its interest clear.
“To be honest, from the first day they believed in me and called me to say they wanted me to join the club, I didn’t hesitate for a second,” he said.
City’s recent success was another major attraction for Fernandez, who said the club’s history brought with it an expectation to compete for every trophy.
“Manchester City have to win every trophy they compete for,” said Fernandez.
“It’s a club that has won a lot in recent years. It’s a club that is making history in football and, for me, it’s a huge challenge.”
The move also reunites Fernandez with Enzo Maresca, his former manager at Chelsea. The pair won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup together at Stamford Bridge.
Fernandez said he was grateful to Maresca for helping make the transfer happen.
“He is a top manager, honestly,” Fernandez said of Maresca.
“He’s very similar to Latin people, very passionate. So, for me, it’s a pleasure to work with him.”
Fernandez also highlighted City’s long association with Argentine players, with Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez, Pablo Zabaleta, Julian Alvarez, Nicolas Otamendi and Martin Demichelis among those to have represented the club.
“To be honest, great Argentine players have come through here and made history, like Juli and Ota and the ones you mentioned,” he added.
“Manchester City, not only in Argentina but around the world, are one of the biggest clubs in the world. Everyone sees it that way.
“And even more so in Argentina, because so many players have come through here.”
Fernandez will also link up with another Argentine, Willy Caballero, who returned to City this summer. Caballero is a former teammate of Maresca at Malaga and worked with both Maresca and Fernandez at Chelsea.
Fernandez said he was delighted to be reunited with the former goalkeeper.
“I spoke with Willy many times, but yes, obviously, we were always in touch,” he said.
“I have a great relationship with him. He was always sending me messages, asking me whether the move was happening and whether I was coming.”
