Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Enzo Fernandez is not a true leader and should leave the club if he would rather be at Real Madrid.
Fernandez made headlines recently by telling ESPN Argentina that he was not sure if his future beyond the end of this season would be at Stamford Bridge.
He then said in another interview, with LuzuTV, that if he could live in any city in the world, he would choose Madrid.
Those comments provoked an angry response from Chelsea's fanbase, particularly as the Blues have lost three of their last four Premier League games (one win), as many defeats as they suffered in their previous 18 (eight wins, seven draws, three defeats).
The Blues are now struggling to secure Champions League qualification for 2026-27, and they were thumped 8-2 on aggregate by Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of this season's tournament.
Chelsea have also failed to score in three consecutive games in all competitions for the first time since September 2023, attempting a total of 52 shots (16 on target) across these three matches (0-3 versus Everton, 0-3 versus PSG, 0-1 versus Newcastle United).
And by casting doubt on his future amid a difficult period for the club, Mikel believes Chelsea vice-captain Fernandez has shown himself to be a poor leader.
"That's not a leader," Mikel said on his Obi One Podcast.
"That's something where if you have leaders, if you have leaders that players respect and look up to, you wouldn't come out and make those statements.
"You don't make that statement after we've been disgracefully dumped out of the Champions League, wearing the captain's armband.
"No player is bigger than the football club. If he's had enough, put your hands up and f*** off. And we move on.
"You cannot come out and say that it doesn't matter, with what is going on. You should be grateful you're playing at a club like Chelsea; because of the culture we built.
"I can understand a little bit of frustration, but you still have to respect the badge, you still have to respect the football club, you still have to respect the fans, because the fans are the ones who pay your wages."
Fernandez has made more appearances than any other Chelsea player since the end of their successful Club World Cup campaign (46), recording 18 goals involvements in that time (12 goals, six goals).
Only Joao Pedro, with 18 goals and six assists, has registered more goals or overall goal contributions than the Argentine for the Blues this season.
Chelsea take on Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, before their return to Premier League action pits them against Manchester City on April 12.
ElifasBonnie
0
the best one
ElifasBonnie
0
remember what he said to the black players he is nonsense he is not a leader
Cisabeiklu
0
To talk is very simple, imagine scoring only one goal in his whole Chelsea premier league career 🤤
make ur research bfr u spill out rubbish
Vizdnstuyz
1
Enzo no get sense because of him they change palmer his position pls let him go now now
Eriland
0
Eriland
0
Eriland
0
Eriland
0
This team will beat real madrid
Eriland
0
Let him leave for free, coz we have players better than him
voebeipsuy
0
He should f***k off if he wants to leave
He wants to leave trash chelates
voebeipsuy
0
He should f***k off if he wants to leave
Cry more
Eriland
0
He is a flop Since chelsea signed him
liabklnru
0
Y'all don't even realise that the players ain't happy with what's going on at the club. Just few are speaking up and instead of pushing the blames on the silly owners, y'all are criticising Enzo. Cucurella made his own statement but y'all only noticed Enzo. That guy gives his all in that team, he's passionate about winning
Andy220
0
Is he the only one who is talking.. Cucu did his and also Palmer but u are just talking about his… isn’t it true Sacking of Enzo Maresca made them look bad
nah you can't even compare both of those statements, Enzo has been twerking from them since this int'l break throughout
franckmukalenge
0
This chap Fernandez has always been average since he came to Chelsea and if Madrid sign him he will be a big FLOP!😂
Richcapone442
0
Is he the only one who is talking.. Cucu did his and also Palmer but u are just talking about his… isn’t it true Sacking of Enzo Maresca made them look bad
Ripcdmopyz
1
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
agreed, John obi mikel always talking like he was a top player when in actual FACT he was bang fucking average,and very shit most times,don't mind the stupid dumbass chelsea fans
yeoclmosy
0
who is Mikel Obi?
Luebeikno
1
let him go we are chelsea not player
Siucdouy
3
@reyabdlnuz..You are an idiot and I doubt you are a chelsea fan. What Mikel said is the truth if the guy doesn't want to be at chelsea just leave. Don't disrespect the club. Nuff said hats off to Mikel.
social3727
4
To talk is very simple, imagine scoring only one goal in his whole Chelsea premier league career 🤤
Amine_Ermac
0
Are u minding some of this gas that think with their nose.
You are absolutely correct. I should’ve ignored his comment.
Suyabkns
1
he must f**k off what special he is, we where having experience and quality player all they gone but chelsea still standing
yimcknotz
1
What do you mean by World Cup winner? Did he win the World Cup singlehandedly? How many goals did he score at the World Cup? What has stopped from replicating the same form at Chelsea if he is such a good player?
hkck
2
Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and other players who are willing to go please show them the door 🚪 Chelsea is struggling simply because the 2 idiots have no heart for the club
Johnnti
2
He should f***k off if he wants to leave
Rinkachi2221
1
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
A visitor just stated watching football and thinks that he knows everything about football..
Mitchello2
3
Enzo has every right to speak his mind. Dude has ambitions its not his fault CFC can't meet them. How do you expect a WC winner to be playing Thursday night football?
Jedackmprt
3
Mikel's comments are very true. The coach must not even allow this stupid Fernandez to wear the arm band any more. He should be benched permanently and the club move ahead. I am not at all happy about Maresca's sacking but that is now history and the silly board is not ready to reinstate him. So, the team must endeavour to make the fans feel at home, secure champion league position and display thrilling matches.
sir-kelevra
0
I don’t blame him, Chelsea is shit and the boy is not used to loosing so this much
Wocceilp
0
Never give him the armband and he should always be on the bench we will still win
Cakadeimrt
1
Mikel problem is arsenal not chelsea.
Nupacirtu
0
Mikel doesn’t know what he is talking about. Mikel go find something do please
vusaeikmu
1
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
you start watching football 10yrs back
emma23
1
Na waitin this guy dey play self?
akintayoibraheem
2
no one biggest than club but humanity come first..
Barongagz02
2
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
You are Avery big fool. During the era of Mikel, Enzo would definitely be a ball boy or second fiddle player you guys just come to comment rubbish on this app. Who gave u phone?
Barongagz02
2
Are you sure about that? As a United fan, I am not sure Enzo would start with the players Obi Mikel played with at Chelsea. Ballack, Lampard, Essien, and Makelele. Please be honest with yourself where exactly he is going to play. Enzo isn’t truly a 6 (Caicedo) nor a 10 (Palmer). He is hybrid.
Are u minding some of this gas that think with their nose.
Baaeikrs
1
everyone has their era maybe Enzo won't have have space back then but Mikel wasn't doing anything back then as compared to what Enzo is doing for Chelsea in this era
Are you joking?
Charlesborn
1
everyone has their era maybe Enzo won't have have space back then but Mikel wasn't doing anything back then as compared to what Enzo is doing for Chelsea in this era
you just don't want to be true to yourself... saying that Mikel wasn't doing anything more than what Enzo is doing in this current team is an absolute insult and a shame on your end maybe you never watched Chelsea then tho, Mikel had a role, tell me which is Enzo's??
Muansu
0
Another 100 million dud Same with mudryk Got more money than sense
reyabdlnuz
1
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
everyone has their era maybe Enzo won't have have space back then but Mikel wasn't doing anything back then as compared to what Enzo is doing for Chelsea in this era
Amine_Ermac
7
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
Are you sure about that? As a United fan, I am not sure Enzo would start with the players Obi Mikel played with at Chelsea. Ballack, Lampard, Essien, and Makelele. Please be honest with yourself where exactly he is going to play. Enzo isn’t truly a 6 (Caicedo) nor a 10 (Palmer). He is hybrid.
Fopacnsuy
1
@what are you doing chelsea's players conspiracy against the coach. they should go and the club be, heaven will falls the they go.
reyabdlnuz
2
you were not a better player than Enzo so fuckoff you talk too much
Biaaknosuz
5
When it comes to Chelsea he's always saying the truth... Imagine him talking about Arsenal... Anyways no one is bigger than the club.. If you don't want to stay hand in transfer request