Chelsea need to prepare alternatives in advance if Manchester City suddenly decide to pursue Enzo Fernández.

Manchester City had the opportunity to sign Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández for £120 million last weekend, but they failed to make an offer before the unofficial deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday.

According to Football.London, Enzo informed Stamford Bridge hierarchy at the end of May that he intended to leave. He first expressed concerns about his future in March when he did not rule out departing Chelsea and stated his desire to play in Spain's capital one day.

Shortly after, he was linked with a move to Real Madrid. In early July, Real Madrid explicitly denied that they had made or would make any attempt to sign Enzo, who is contracted to Chelsea until June 2032.

Real Madrid stated in an official announcement that despite holding "great respect" for the player, they "had no intention of pursuing such an operation." Real Madrid also said they maintain "good relations" with Chelsea and referenced the signing of Mateo Kovačić hours before Spain's opening World Cup match.

Chelsea, eager to complete their summer preparations, informed interested parties that they must meet their asking price of £120 million by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 14. According to Football.London, while Manchester City did not submit an offer before this unofficial deadline, they remain interested in signing the Argentine international.

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If manager Enzo Maresca pushes to sign Enzo and Manchester City eventually make a formal bid, Chelsea must quickly find a replacement. Based on this, Football.London has compiled a list of three potential alternatives Chelsea could consider.

Wharton would be an ideal addition to Chelsea's squad. While the Crystal Palace midfielder may not match Enzo's goal-scoring output—Enzo being exceptional in big matches—Wharton is one of the few players capable of controlling the tempo and dominating possession.

Wharton operates in a deeper role, frequently dropping to receive the ball and break through defensive lines, a position similar to what the Argentine played when he first joined Chelsea in 2023. Provided Enzo Maresca is confident that fullbacks and forwards can compensate for Enzo's attacking contributions, the 22-year-old playmaker could be the perfect fit.

According to Football.London, Chelsea have long admired Wharton, who is contracted to Crystal Palace until June 2029. A potential deal for the English midfielder could cost around £100 million.

Scott could also be an excellent replacement for Enzo. The Bournemouth midfielder matches Wharton's ability to balance offensive and defensive play, but he offers greater dynamism and mobility in midfield, operating between both penalty boxes.

While the Crystal Palace midfielder excels at advancing from central areas with excellent passing range, Scott primarily relies on dribbling to progress the ball. From this perspective, the 22-year-old midfielder would bring something different to Chelsea's midfield, which may be exactly what Maresca is looking for.

According to Football.London, Chelsea are very interested in signing Scott, who is contracted to Bournemouth until June 2028. However, it is believed that The Blues will only pursue this deal if Enzo departs.

Chelsea made a £64 million offer for the English midfielder earlier this summer, which was rejected, with Bournemouth insisting he is not for sale. It is understood that Scott also turned down a contract extension offer from The Cherries last month.

Although Ruiz has not been linked with a move to Chelsea, Maresca should attempt to recruit him from Paris Saint-Germain. Under Luis Enrique, the 30-year-old has quietly become one of the world's best midfielders, and he has just one year remaining on his PSG contract.

The Blues should explore the possibility at Parc des Princes. Ruiz would become a free agent after this season, and unlike the others on this list, he may not command a substantial transfer fee, making him excellent value.

The Spanish international would bring world-class quality and vast experience to Stamford Bridge, exactly what Maresca desires. Ruiz is only 30, meaning he remains in his prime.

He has won everything in domestic and European competition with Paris Saint-Germain, and a project in West London would likely appeal to him.

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