Fernandez: I didn't hesitate for a second to move to City

Argentine international midfielder Enzo Fernandez said he “did not hesitate for a second” when Manchester City contacted him, in his first interview since joining the club in a deal worth a British record £125 million ($169 million). Fernandez completed his move from Chelsea on Tuesday, the final day of the transfer window, pushing Manchester City’s spending to more than £450 million, a record for the English Premier League in a single transfer window. The 25-year-old had joined Chelsea from Portuguese club Benfica in January 2023 for £107 million, which was then a British record. His transfer to the Etihad Stadium matches the £125 million Liverpool paid last year to sign Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle United. Fernandez’s name had been linked with a move to Spanish club Real Madrid earlier in the summer transfer window, following his red card in Argentina’s 1-0 final defeat to Spain at the World Cup last July. He will be a key figure in City’s new midfield alongside Elliot Anderson, who joined from Nottingham Forest for £116 million in July. Fernandez, who signed a five-year contract, said he “has always dreamed of being at a club of City’s stature.” He added, “Honestly, from the first day they believed in me and contacted me to say they wanted me to join the club, I did not hesitate for a second. It is a club... that has won many titles in recent years. It is a club that makes history in football, and for me, it is a huge challenge.” Italian manager Enzo Maresca is currently in charge of City following the departure of Spanish coach Pep Guardiola, and has overseen a major rebuild after the exit of prominent players such as Spanish midfielder Rodri, English defender John Stones, and Portuguese forward Bernardo Silva. Fernandez, who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, said that despite these changes, City is building an “unbelievable” team. He also expressed his eagerness to work again with Maresca, who previously managed him at Chelsea. He said, “He is a top-class manager, honestly. I worked with him at my previous club. It was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot from him. He is very much like us Latin Americans; he is extremely passionate. So, it is a pleasure to work with him. I am also grateful to him because he was very important in bringing me here. It is a great pleasure to work alongside him and enjoy it.”