Enzo Fernandez (foto: Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez has said an emotional goodbye to Chelsea after completing his record-equalling £125m transfer to Manchester City on deadline day.
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Enzo Fernandez has broken his silence on his Chelsea departure, admitting he "hasn't been in a good place" during the difficult final days before his blockbuster move to Manchester City.
The Argentina international completed a £125m deadline-day transfer to City, equalling the British record set when Liverpool signed Alexander Isak from Newcastle last summer.
Fernandez marked his departure with a lengthy message to Chelsea supporters, accompanied by a video featuring highlights from his three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.
"I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven't been in a good place," Fernandez wrote.
"Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club. Life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions."
‘Chelsea will always have a place in my heart’
Despite the tension surrounding his departure, Fernandez stressed that his relationship with Chelsea remains special. "I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart."
He thanked supporters for embracing both him and his family before ending with an emotional message: "You will always be in my heart, Blues. I will always wish you, always, nothing but the very best. Always Blue. Thank you, Chelsea."
The farewell arrived just before Chelsea suffered another dramatic deadline-day blow. The Blues had agreed a deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, who was expected to replace Fernandez, with a medical also planned.
Monaco were initially prepared to sanction Camara's departure after Folarin Balogun's proposed move to Everton appeared to have collapsed. However, Everton returned to negotiations and eventually found a way to complete the deal, prompting Monaco to reverse their decision and keep Camara.
Fernandez's final months at Chelsea had already been complicated. He attracted criticism from some supporters after appearing to open the door to a potential Real Madrid move earlier in the summer, although that transfer never materialised.
Instead, his former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made his move and brought Fernandez to Manchester City for a club-record £125m. The midfielder now begins a new chapter at the Etihad, but his final message made clear that leaving Stamford Bridge was far from easy.