West Ham United to suffer as Chelsea desperate for Enzo Fernandez contingency plan
West Ham United could find their squad being raided by Chelsea as Enzo Fernandez edges towards a summer exit from Stamford Bridge.
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are just two points above the Premier League relegation zone, and with just six games of the season remaining, survival in the division is by no means guaranteed.
Supporters are well aware of the repercussions of relegation to the Championship, with Jarrod Bowen, Crysencio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes all being linked with moves away.
West Ham could face several high-profile exits, whether they survive the relegation battle or not, and Liam Rosenior could take full advantage of that as one of his biggest names heads for the exit doors.
Chelsea are at serious risk of losing Enzo Fernandez
The Blues' manager has created an entire fiasco at Stamford Bridge, with Fernandez being punished with a two-game internal suspension after speaking openly about moving to Madrid.
His agent hasn't helped in the slightest. In fact, Javier Pastore has only stirred the pot further, suggesting that talks over his future will take place after the World Cup.
All signs point towards Fernandez switching life in the Premier League for the Bernabeu ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, and the Hammers could be hit hardest as a result of his exit.
| Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea | vs | Mateus Fernandes at West Ham |
| 2583 | Minutes played | 2484 |
| 8 | Goals | 3 |
| 3 | Assists | 3 |
| 50.5 | Accurate passes per 90 | 39.6 |
| 51 | Chances created | 32 |
| 0.38 | Successful dribbles per 90 | 0.83 |
| 0.73 | Tackles per 90 | 2.03 |
According to Chelsea journalist Si Phillips (15 April), the West London outfit are targeting Bowen, Summerville and Fernandes, and the latter of the three would make perfect sense for Rosenior.
West Ham surely resigned to losing Mateus Fernandes
Fernandes has only been plying his trade at the London Stadium for a season, but the 21-year-old already appears destined for a big move up the Premier League ahead of the summer window.
Mick Brown told Football Insider that Man City are plotting a move for the West Ham gem, but it is the Blues who will be desperate for his signature ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
Of course, Fernandez leaving could mean Cole Palmer is restored to his normal spot in the centre of the pitch, meaning that a move could be triggered for Bowen instead.
But given how Rosenior likes to set up, a move for Fernandes would be a no-brainer, especially if they can get him on a bargain deal, with the Hammers relegated to the Championship this season.