Sport
What next for Enzo Fernandez?
There are two types of post-World Cup transfer, with wildly differing success rates.
The first one is when a club buys a player whose value and reputation has been inflated by the tournament itself. It can be easy to get swept up when somebody unexpectedly shines on the big stage, but context is key and far too often, these players revert to their club form after the tournament is finished. Enner Valencia, who again shone for Ecuador in Qatar, is a prime example. West Ham signed him back in 2014 after the World Cup in Brazil and, but for the odd flash of quality, never really saw the desired return on their investment. It will be very interesting to see which players move where off the back of an excellent month this January.
Much more sensibly, some clubs look to sign players whose form has only been cemented by the World Cup. While their value may have risen over a short space of time, they were already making waves for their clubs, and the tournament serves as evidence that they can indeed play at a higher level.
Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool has occurred thanks in no small part to his three goals at the World Cup for the Netherlands, but his form for PSV Eindhoven was already excellent and he was known to scouts all over Europe beforehand. Manchester United had monitored him and looked to be his destination after summer interest, but Liverpool acted swiftly to get the deal done. The nuance between the two types of signing may appear small and up to interpretation, but it can make all the difference.
Possibly the most intriguing player to watch this winter is Enzo Fernandez. With Benfica’s track record of development and profit rivalling anyone in Europe, he had already made a name for himself before heading to the World Cup with Argentina. Then he starred in and helped win it and that has only intensified interest. Liverpool were rumoured to be tracking him in the summer; Newcastle, who are in the market for a holding midfielder, are known to like him too. His price tag will have increased exponentially, and Benfica’s reputation as hard bargainers precedes them. Chelsea seem to be laying the foundations for a swoop in the next few weeks, but everybody is perhaps in a different position than they anticipated before the long break in the European season.
His focus is on Benfica and he reaffirmed that stance a matter of days ago, while Eddie Howe, the Newcastle boss, admitted to knowing and liking the player but suggested the transfer fee would prove a stumbling block.
Fernandez himself should bide his time. His stock is so high right now and all the top clubs are chasing him; history suggests that move will come. Stylistically, he seems perfect for the modern Premier League midfield, able to play in a single or a double pivot.
A bigger problem for all the teams interested could be the increased competition. Although never an unknown quantity, Fernandez has now shown what he can do on the world stage in front of millions. There is no hiding his quality, no gem to be unlocked. Not anymore.
Lionel Messi was the man who took the glory in Qatar and rightly so given his performances at key moments and what winning the World Cup means for his career; Rodrigo de Paul was heralded as the man who covered for Messi and did all his running higher up the pitch.
The truth is neither player could have been nearly as effective as they were if it weren’t for Fernandez dominating the player deeper in midfield and giving Argentina the upper hand in every game following that defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening game. From that moment, where Argentina were static, bereft of ideas and trapped by complacency, they became a team who pressed well, came to life at key moments and made them count. That, in no small part, was down to Fernandez.
At 5’10, he is not a diminutive midfielder; he is physical, dominant and able to look after himself. In short, the kind of player every top team needs. The weakness Chelsea showed in their disappointing draw with Nottingham Forest on Sunday suggests he would slip into Graham Potter’s team superbly, but with their Champions League hopes dwindling further by the week, so do, you would think, their chances of luring him to Stamford Bridge.
Interest and understanding of Fernandez has increased since the World Cup. He was one of the stars and that will only make him a tougher player to attract, but his rise does go to show how major tournaments can be reference points for talent, as well as a smokescreen for in-form overachievers.
