‘Brilliant’ – Why Chelsea 22-year-old star now worth more than Manchester City Rodri
Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has emerged as one of the footballing world’s most valuable players, as per the CIES Football Observatory statistical model.
The 22-year-old midfielder, already a World Cup winner at a remarkably young age, sealed his move to Stamford Bridge in a blockbuster £106.8 million deal last summer, signaling his rapid ascent in the footballing stratosphere.
The latest rankings by CIES Football Observatory place Enzo Fernandez at an impressive 17th position among the world’s most expensive players, with a valuation of €123.6 million (£107 million). This meteoric rise places him in the elite company of footballing talents, with Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham securing the top spot.
Surprisingly, Manchester City’s midfield maestro Rodri finds himself in the 18th position, valued at €121.8 million (£105 million). While Rodri is widely recognized as one of the world’s premier defensive midfielders, the age factor appears to have influenced the rankings, positioning the 27-year-old below Chelsea’s emerging star in this particular metric.
Despite the acknowledgment of Rodri’s standing in the footballing hierarchy, the age-related bias in the valuation brings attention to the potential and promise embodied by Enzo Fernandez. At 22, the deep-lying playmaker has ample time to evolve and fulfill the vast potential that has garnered such substantial valuation.
Critically, the pathway for Fernandez’s further growth is illuminated by the need to contribute more goals to his repertoire. OptaJoe data, recorded via X this week, highlights Fernandez’s position as the fifth biggest underperformer in front of goal in the Premier League this season. The recognition of this aspect of his game underscores the belief in Fernandez’s ability to evolve into an all-action central midfielder, provided he hones his scoring prowess.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea’s burgeoning talent, as he strives to validate his lofty valuation and carve a distinctive niche for himself in the ever-competitive landscape of world football.