Former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Bacary Sagna has warned Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez about the reality that awaits him if he completes a deadline-day move to the Etihad Stadium.
Fernandez has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, but Sagna believes the Argentine would have to accept a reduced status within the dressing room after being one of Chelsea’s most important players.
The former City defender said the midfielder would have to adapt to an established hierarchy at the Premier League champions, with Erling Haaland occupying the leading role.
“Enzo is probably regarded as Chelsea’s most important player,” Sagna stated.
“If he joins City, he won’t be the most important City player.
“Erling Haaland is the most important City player.
“That’s the hierarchy.
“So to make your own space it takes time.
“Enzo at Chelsea is one of the most important players, regarding the national team, captaincy and everything.
“The weight is on him.
“He’s managing others.
“But now you’re coming to a team where you don’t have to manage others.
“Everyone is focused on themselves.”
Speaking to The Action Network, Sagna also pointed to the tactical differences Fernandez would face at City if the transfer goes through.
The former defender believes the Chelsea midfielder would need to adjust his decision-making and become more willing to release the ball quickly within Pep Guardiola’s structured system.
“Whenever people make a run at City, you have to give the ball away,” Sagna noted.
“Maybe at Chelsea you can afford to dribble a bit more and no one is going to say anything to you. But when you play for bigger clubs, it is different.
“You have to adapt to others also and it is not only about you and your decision making. This is probably where they have to find a balance. But, all of them are top players, so I hope they can perform for Man City.”
Fernandez has established himself as an influential figure at Chelsea, but Sagna believes a move to City would require the Argentine to adjust to a different role and a new dressing-room dynamic.
With the transfer deadline approaching, Fernandez’s potential move to the Etihad remains one of the major stories surrounding the Premier League transfer window.
