Scholes rules Chelsea out of Premier League title race after sale

Chelsea’s £125 million sale of Enzo Fernandez to Manchester City has led Paul Scholes to dismiss their chances of winning the Premier League. The transfer was completed on deadline day and set a world record for player sales, but Scholes believes it has weakened Chelsea under new manager Xabi Alonso.

The former Manchester United midfielder said Chelsea should not have allowed a key player to move to a direct title rival. In his assessment, Fernandez had become an important player at Stamford Bridge, despite taking time to win him over after arriving from Benfica in 2023.

Scholes also questioned Chelsea’s midfield options without the Argentina international. He cited Malo Gusto’s use in midfield and Reece James’ deployment in the position as evidence that the squad may not have a suitable replacement for Fernandez. His view was that neither arrangement would provide enough quality for a team aiming to challenge for the league title.

The move also means Fernandez will join Manchester City after Chelsea paid £107 million to sign him from Benfica. His £125 million transfer makes him joint-most expensive in Premier League history, adding another major financial landmark to a deal Scholes believes could damage Chelsea’s season.

Scholes compared the situation with Chelsea’s earlier experience involving Enzo Maresca. He argued that Manchester City had already unsettled Chelsea through the manager situation, disrupting the club when he felt the team had been performing strongly. In his view, losing Fernandez to City could cause similar damage again.

Fernandez’s arrival is expected to strengthen Manchester City, while Chelsea must begin the Alonso era without a midfielder Scholes now considers a brilliant player. The former United midfielder therefore sees the sale as more than a lucrative transaction: he regards it as a decision that removes Chelsea from the Premier League title race and improves a direct competitor.