Enzo Fernandez told he's replaceable as Chelsea instructed to bid for two Man Utd targets

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge and now Xabi Alonso's team have been handed a verdict on two potential replacements this summer

Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink believes Chelsea will be able to replace Enzo Fernandez if the midfielder leaves Stamford Bridge. The former Blues striker has also suggested his old side should target Manchester United-linked Gavi or Aurelien Tchouameni as a potential replacement.

Manchester City are keen on signing Argentina international Fernandez after Rodri's switch to La Liga giants Barcelona this summer. Although Enzo Maresca's team missed Chelsea’s August 14 deadline to match a £120million asking price, reports suggest they are still prepared to submit a late bid.

And the 25-year-old received a mixed reception at best during his first pre-season appearance for Xabi Alonso's side on Saturday. Several boos were heard after he came on as a substitute during the Blues' 3-1 win over Real Sociedad last weekend.

It follows him scoring the equaliser in this summer's World Cup semi-final win over England. The 25-year-old celebrated by cupping his ears in front of supporters.

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Now, Hasselbaink, who made 177 appearances for Chelsea, has spoken exclusively to football.london on what the future could hold for Fernandez in west London.

"Fans are emotional, we all know that," he said. "Fans want to be heard. When he plays for Chelsea, he's a different player, he's a different person than when he plays for Argentina.

"We have all seen how the Argentinian players are for Argentina. He's done exceptionally well for Argentina and for Chelsea.

"People are allowed to have their own opinion. He made some gestures while playing for Argentina, so he has to understand there will be a backlash because he still plays in England. It is what it is.

"Obviously, the fans were not happy with how he conducted himself, but let's not forget he's a hell of a player. I think the fans know that, and understand that, but I think they would want him to act with a little bit more respect."

Questions will be asked over how Chelsea can replace a player who made 54 appearances across all competitions last term. Hasselbaink is not too concerned, though and believes either Barcelona star Gavi or Real Madrid's Tchouameni could be a brilliant replacement.

"He's a hell of a player, and he has scored really important goals, but I think you can replace him," he added. "I think there is enough in the market that you can go and get to do a job maybe in a different way.

"If Fernandez had gone, I would have loved to have seen Youri Tielemans, but he's already gone to Man United. It would have been a cheap buy. You want somebody in the market who, if Fernandez goes, is a little bit older, 26, 27, coming from a big club. Coming from a Real Madrid or a Barcelona.

"They're saying Gavi can go at Barcelona, he didn't want to go to Man United. The thing is, when you let Enzo go, and you get somebody else, you have to play a little bit differently, a little bit like Rodri now with Man City.

"Man City is not going to find another Rodri, so they have to play a little bit differently. The same with Chelsea, if Enzo goes, somebody else will have to fill the slot. By the way, Reece James can do that as well, but he's not as attacking as Enzo.

"In-house, they have got enough [Romeo] Lavia, Reece James, they can all do it, but I would think if Enzo goes, you would want to get somebody else in as well to bolster that midfield. I would love to see Gavi or Aurelien Tchouameni. Obviously, it's gonna cost serious money. I don't know if Chelsea wants to do that, but I would love one of those two players to come in and bolster, because when they come into the dressing room, straight away, it's a big player that comes in. It gives a message to the other players."

Chelsea have failed to secure a consistent goalscoring striker for some time. Premier League champions Arsenal have been linked in recent weeks with Victor Osimhen, who netted 22 goals last season for Galatasaray, but Hasselbaink doesn't necessarily believe the Blues should look to hijack a deal.

The 54-year-old said: "Osimhen is a terrific striker, don't get me wrong, terrific goal scorer. They have got Joao Pedro, who has done exceptionally well.

"It looks like [Nicolas] Jackson is going. I have always been somebody who really liked Jackson because he puts the defenders on the back foot and does a lot of work and gets a lot of chances. His conversion rate is not as high as the number of chances that he gets, but he gets them, and it's better to get them than not to get them at all.

"I don't think that they need to go out there to really get a terrific No.9. It's always helpful, but Joan Pedro has shown that he can do it. To bring Osimhen in, how will that affect Joao Pedro? Also, you're not in Europe, so how many games are you going to play?

"I think the squad in that area is okay. Don't get me wrong, Osimhen is a magnificent striker. If they were in the Champions League now, I would say go and get Osimhen."

While supporters may still be hoping for more incomings, there are still several stars in Alonso's squad who could depart before the 11pm deadline on September 1. Eyebrows were raised when Chelsea quoted around £100m for forward Pedro Neto, who has interest from City and Saudi Pro League sides.

When asked if the price was extortionate, Hasselbaink replied: "No, because Chelsea doesn't want to sell him. He doesn't need to go. They didn't make plans for him to go, so it's top dollar or Chelsea's more than happy to keep him.

"He's somebody who pops up with goals. He's somebody who is very important. No Champions League or European football, so there doesn't need to be that much rotation, but he's always been in the starting XI, so I do understand where Chelsea is coming from, but everybody is for sale, really, so they've set their price."

Mykhailo Mudryk, meanwhile, looks more likely to leave. The Ukrainian, an £88.5m signing from Shakhtar Donetsk in January 2023, has been linked with newly-promoted Coventry City - managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard.

Asked if the Blues should prioritise talks with Coventry due to the Lampard links, Hasselbaink said: "I think so. Obviously, Frank knows him. Frank has worked with him. I think it goes both ways. Frank needs a player like that who's very quick for the majority of the games.

"With all due respect to Coventry, they're not going to be dominant, so they're going to have to play maybe the majority of the games as a counterattacking team. They need quick players and Mudryk is definitely one of them, but then from Murdyk's side, he needs to pick up his career again.

"He needs to go to someone who understands him and will give him the love and give him the time as well, and get his career back on track. He has gone through a lot, so he needs somebody who is going to put his arm around his shoulder and help him, and I think. 1Frank and him have already got a relationship, so I can see from both sides how that might work really well."

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