Ex-Super Eagles attacker warns Enzo Fernandez over Real Madrid statements

Former Super Eagles and Borussia Dortmund winger Victor Ikpeba has weighed in on Enzo Fernández’s comments questioning Chelsea’s philosophy, Afrik Foot reports.

The 25-year-old has been a mainstay in Chelsea’s midfield since joining back in 2022, scoring 28 goals and providing 29 assists in 161 games for the Blues.

However, the Argentine has been hinting he’s unsettled at Stamford Bridge, especially with the club’s style of signing younger players.

Enzo believes this is a clear lack of ambition from the BlueCo and ClearLake Capital owners, as the lack of experience is telling, especially after their 2-8 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

“I understand this is part of the club’s policy and that they want to take this direction — signing young players and looking to the future,” the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner said in quotes revealed by ESPN.

“But, for all of us who want to win big things, moments like this [the 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG] make you feel discouraged.”

Things got further complicated after the midfielder hinted he’d love to spend some time in Madrid.

“I always tell my wife that if I had to choose a city in Europe to live in, I’d love Madrid because it’s very similar to Buenos Aires in terms of lifestyle and everything,” he told Luzo TV as revealed by Goal.

These words clearly stirred the waters on the blue side of West London, and Enzo was given a two-game ban by the club over the statement he uttered. The punishment, though, was deemed unfair by his agent, Javier Pastore.

“The punishment is completely unfair. Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team’s most important players,” the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said.

“There’s no real reason or justification for why he has been banned. Enzo didn’t understand the situation.

“When the coach told him he accepted it because he’s a highly professional guy who’s always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it. He only mentions Madrid, the city.

“Our plan after the World Cup is to meet with Chelsea again and, if there is no agreement, to explore other options,” Pastore concluded.

Victor Ikpeba warns Enzo Fernandez

Speaking on Super Sport’s Monday Night Football show, the Super Eagles legend opined on the situation surrounding the former Benfica midfielder, as revealed by Complete Sports.

“Enzo Fernández could have been smart by keeping his mouth shut.

“The statement is not good for the club, but it’s good for other players in the sense that it shows they can do without him.

“The manager has shown that they can do without Enzo, and if he wants to go to Real Madrid in future, he can go.

“It’s for him to keep quiet and continue his career until the end of the season. He has a long contract, so at the end of the day, he doesn’t call the shots. Chelsea are the owners of him,” the Prince of Monaco conluded.

According to the report from Goal, Enzo plans to take active steps to make his dream move to Madrid come true, although he could end up at either of the two top clubs in the Spanish capital.