Enzo Fernandez ready to 'throw in the towel' at Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez is likely to down tools at Chelsea at some stage this season.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that the Argentine is ready to "throw in the towel" on his time at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea in recent months, and has found himself in the spotlight again after his red card in the World Cup Final.
Wyness believes that the Chelsea fans won't forget some of his actions after his nation's semi-final victory over England, and noted that the relationship is likely severed for good.
The midfielder posted an Instagram story mocking England's Wonderwall celebration after their earlier wins at the tournament.
Chelsea were also forced to delete a social media post celebrating their star's equaliser against the Three Lions, after it received an angry reaction from their supporters.
Keith Wyness: Enzo Fernandez to become even more divisive at Chelsea
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Fernandez is a player who has the potential to disrupt the harmony and cohesion within a squad.
The Scottish businessman labelled the former Benfica man as an "unsettling character," and made it clear that he expects him to continue angling for a move elsewhere.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness outlined why he believes the relationship between the player and his club may now be irreparable.
"I think coming off the back of the World Cup, it'll blow over to a certain degree, but the fans won't forget. And I don't think the Chelsea fans are particularly enamoured with him and his behaviour either," he said.
"We know that we can forgive our own local heroes in each team, but I think in this case, it's gone a little bit further. We'll see what sort of sanctions there are after the World Cup. He's shown himself to be a very hot-headed player.
"He is an unsettling character in the squad. And I think opponents will get to him and wind him up. I think we'll see a story of more red cards coming in the Premier League.
"He's somebody that will just throw in the towel and eventually will want to move."
Fernandez should have been sent off before Pau Cubarsi moment
Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider earlier this week that Fernandez was "fortunate" not to have been sent off before his eventual red card in the World Cup Final.
The Chelsea star was shown a second yellow by referee Slavko Vincic for clattering into Pau Cubarsi in stoppage time, but Hackett is adamant that he shouldn't have even been on the pitch at that stage.
Fernandez's first caution came in the 82nd minute for dissent after not being awarded a free-kick, and replays showed him sarcastically applauding the referee behind his back after his name was taken.
Hackett is in no doubt that the action should have constituted a second yellow for the player, and reasoned that Vincic must not have seen the secondary reaction, otherwise he'd have given him his marching orders.