Alex MacQuoid
Chelsea have been handed another unwanted distraction after Javier Pastore, the agent of Enzo Fernandez, confirmed that the Argentina midfielder could look at a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer if no agreement is reached over a new contract.
The comments arrive at a delicate moment. Fernandez is already under the spotlight after a series of remarks that have cast doubt over his long-term future, and now his representative has gone a step further by openly admitting that alternative options will be considered if talks with Chelsea do not improve.
Pastore Defends Fernandez After Chelsea Sanction
Pastore insisted the controversy surrounding Fernandez’s recent comments had been blown out of proportion. Speaking after Chelsea reportedly punished the midfielder with a two-match ban, he described the decision as unfair and argued that Fernandez never directly said he wanted to leave the club.
According to Pastore, Fernandez was simply answering a question about which European city he would like to live in one day. His answer was Madrid, with the agent pointing to the shared language, cultural familiarity and climate as natural reasons for an Argentine player to mention the Spanish capital.
From Pastore’s point of view, Chelsea’s response was excessive. He stressed that Fernandez accepted the decision professionally, but made it clear that neither he nor the player believed the punishment was justified. For Chelsea, that is where the problem really begins. Even if Fernandez did not explicitly say he wants out, the repeated references to Madrid were always likely to fuel speculation, especially with Real Madrid known to be in the market for midfield reinforcements.
Contract Talks Have Already Broken Down
The most important part of Pastore’s interview was not his defence of Fernandez. It was his admission that negotiations over a new contract have already stalled.
Pastore revealed that discussions with Chelsea began around December or January, but the two sides failed to find common ground. In his view, Fernandez’s current terms no longer reflect his standing or performances, despite the fact that the midfielder remains tied to the club until 2032.
That is a significant detail. Chelsea are not dealing with a player nearing the end of his deal or holding obvious leverage through contract expiry. On paper, they remain in a strong position. In reality, a player’s camp openly talking about improved terms, respect and possible alternatives is the sort of signal that quickly turns into a transfer saga if not handled properly.
Pastore suggested that the lack of agreement may even have contributed to tensions behind the scenes. He stopped short of accusing Chelsea directly, but his words were hardly subtle. He hinted that the club may not be managing Fernandez in the right way and suggested there are issues around salary, treatment and the overall handling of the situation.
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“We’ll Explore Other Options”
The clearest warning to Chelsea came when Pastore outlined the plan going forward. Fresh talks are expected after the World Cup, but he made it plain that if there is still no agreement, Fernandez’s camp will explore other options.
That statement changes the temperature around this story. Until now, much of the noise around Fernandez’s future could be dismissed as speculation, interpretation or careless wording. With Pastore’s latest comments, there is now a direct acknowledgement that a move could become a genuine possibility.
For any club watching closely, that is an invitation to stay alert. For Chelsea, it is a reminder that long contracts alone do not remove transfer risk when a player’s camp believes the terms no longer match his importance.
Is Fernandez Actually Happy at Chelsea?
Pastore’s answer on that subject was revealing. He said Fernandez is naturally hap