Key Chelsea star makes transfer decision as team-mates try to force him to leave

However, reports suggest that the 24-year-old midfielder has no desire to leave London. Fernandez joined Chelsea two years ago for a British record fee of £106.8 million and remains under contract until 2031.

Despite this, his recent resurgence in form has attracted interest from several top clubs, including Atletico Madrid and their rivals, Real Madrid.

Interestingly, Fernandez plays alongside five Atletico players in the Argentina national team—Rodrigo De Paul, Nahuel Molina, Julian Alvarez, Angel Correa, and Giuliano Simeone.

According to Spanish outlet Diario AS, this group has been trying to persuade him to move to Madrid.

However, their efforts appear to have been unsuccessful, as Fernandez has reportedly turned down the idea of joining Atletico. That said, the report also claims that he is keeping his future options open.

Speculation about Fernandez’s departure from Chelsea first surfaced in November when he lost his starting spot under new manager Enzo Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino last summer.

His initial time at Stamford Bridge was underwhelming, and Maresca struggled to get the best out of him despite his standout performances at the 2022 World Cup.

Since then, however, Fernandez has rediscovered his best form, reclaiming his place in the team. This season, he has contributed five goals and nine assists in all competitions, cementing his importance to Chelsea’s midfield.

Having started 17 of Chelsea’s last 18 Premier League matches, Fernandez is now a key figure in Maresca’s squad as the Blues push for a top-four finish.

Chelsea faces a crucial London derby against Tottenham next week as they continue their chase for third place, currently occupied by Nottingham Forest.

Their remaining fixtures include tough matches against Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United.