Enzo Fernández's record $162 million transfer to Manchester City has reignited debate about his role within the Argentina national team. An article by journalist Daniel Taylor in The Athletic, the sports section of the New York Times, published this week, questions who the real Enzo Fernández is, a player described as one of the most controversial in the Premier League.
The column titled "Who is the real Enzo Fernández?" reconstructs the debate using testimonies from players, coaches, and club staff. Critics describe him as having a "pickpocket's soul" who represents the worst of La Albiceleste, while his defenders argue he doesn't deserve his bad-boy image. The text lists episodes that have stained his reputation, like appearing in a video singing an offensive chant after the 2024 Copa América and his sending-off in the World Cup final against Spain. It also notes his accumulation of yellow cards, including 14 for dissent, the most of any Chelsea player since 2022.
The conflict with Chelsea escalated in April when he was suspended for two matches after an ESPN interview the club interpreted as an invitation for Real Madrid to sign him. Cited sources indicate he was affected by the Champions League round of 16 elimination to PSG, which won 8-2 on aggregate. His connection with former manager Enzo Maresca was key to his transfer, and he did not take the coach's departure well, leading to friction with his successor, Liam Rosenior. According to the paper, those tensions created internal divisions in the dressing room.
Enzo Fernández is an established figure in the Argentina national team's midfield as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His competitive edge and ability to arrive late in the box are assets for manager Lionel Scaloni. However, the column questions his leadership capacity and emotional control, aspects that could influence the squad's atmosphere. La Albiceleste has a series of vital preparation matches, and fans can follow the upcoming fixtures schedule. This season's squad, featuring players like Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez, is listed on our squad page.
Despite the controversy, his numbers at Chelsea last season were solid. He finished as the team's second-top scorer, behind only João Pedro, after being converted by Maresca from a playmaker to a more goal-threatening player. His adaptation to English football was limited by his difficulty with the language, as he never gave an extensive interview in English during his time in London. The article draws a parallel with another strong-charactered Argentine who played for Manchester City, Carlos Tevez, though it clarifies Maresca shouldn't worry about a similar scandal.
The next Argentina national team gathering is scheduled for October, where Scaloni will assess his players ahead of official commitments.
