Manchester City have established themselves as the leading contenders for the Premier League title following their dramatic deadline-day capture of Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea, according to Football Insider.
Record-Breaking Fernandez Signing Fires Man City Above Arsenal,
The Argentine midfielder completed his move to the Etihad Stadium for a reported £125million on Deadline Day, a fee that equals the joint-British transfer record alongside Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool last summer.
Fernandez, 25, has signed a five-year deal with the Citizens and becomes the first player in football history to be sold for more than £100 million twice in his career.
Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, believes Fernandez can be the catalyst for City’s title charge this season.
The former Everton chief executive rates the Argentine highly as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
“He does seem to be a player with that quality. He’s got those leadership instincts as well,” Wyness told Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast.
“I think for City, it’s an amazing capture to put in there and gives them the leadership that they may have lacked after some of the players that have gone”.
The 25-year-old will anchor a new-look City midfield alongside fellow summer signing Ayyoub Bouaddi.
City have spent a league-high £440.3 million during the summer window as they aim to return to title contention under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Fernandez previously worked closely with Maresca during the Italian’s spell in charge of Chelsea.
Despite Arsenal’s convincing start to the campaign, Wyness insists City will soon come into their own.
“They’ve definitely established themselves as challengers for the title in my view, if not the top club right now,” he said.
“It could be a very exciting title chase going forward”.
Fernandez could make his debut as early as this weekend when City host Coventry at the Etihad Stadium.
