Enzo Fernandez directly responds to backlash in controversial statement after record-setting Man City move confirmed

Enzo Fernandez sent a message directly to Chelsea fans slamming him for joining Man City in an official statement.

The 2026/27 Premier League transfer window is officially shut following one of the most active summers in recent history.

Twice this summer the British transfer record was broken following Manchester City's £116million spend on Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and Chelsea's £117m signing of Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa

In fact, in the final hours of the window it was confirmed that Premier League clubs have broken their all-time summer transfer record after spending reached £3.198bn.

However, that figure doesn't even include the biggest transfer of the summer, as just minutes before the deadline passed, Manchester City confirmed a £125m deal to sign Chelsea midfielder Fernandez.

The World Cup winner had been pushing for the move throughout the summer, as he hoped to be reunited with former Chelsea manager and current City boss Enzo Maresca, leading to backlash from some fans.

And in his first statement since the transfer was confirmed, Fernandez decided to directly respond to this backlash, calling out how 'passionate' fans are.

He wrote: "Life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart.

"But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are, because I am the same. And if I were in your position, I would probably be thinking the same way."

Despite this, many Chelsea fans took to social media to call out their former player for his statement, with one writing: "Enzo Fernandez is a snake, perfect at faking emotions for a club."

With another adding: "Enzo Fernandez just accepted that he made a selfish decision."

Meanwhile the snake emoji has flooded the comments of Fernandez's statement on Instagram.

READ MORE: Chelsea star called out for ‘ungrateful’ moment during Brighton win

Enzo Fernandez statement in full:

"Dear Chelsea,

"I want you to know that these have not been easy days for me. Writing this is not easy either. The truth is, I haven’t been in a good place.

"Three years ago, Cobham and Stamford Bridge became home for me and my family. I grew attached to the people, to the shirt, and to the badge of this incredible club.

"Believe me when I say that, from the moment I arrived, I became obsessed with winning and with bringing this club every trophy that its history deserves. We suffered, we cried, I got angry many times, but we also celebrated titles and unforgettable victories. Together, through the good times and the difficult ones.

"I live football the same way I live my life: with passion and with all my heart. That is why I want you to know that I understand you. I truly understand you, from the bottom of my heart.

"But life is about making decisions, and right now I find myself having to make one of those difficult decisions. I’ve said it before, but I want to say it again: I have grown incredibly fond of this club. Chelsea will always have a place in my thoughts and, above all, in my heart.

"But I also understand how football works. I know how passionate you are, because I am the same. And if I were in your position, I would probably be thinking the same way.

"I want to thank every single one of you: the staff, the coaching team, the medical team, the physios, and everyone who works at Cobham and throughout this great institution.

"To all my teammates over these years, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing so many moments with me. I was truly happy here, and I wish you nothing but the very best for the future.

"Thank you for all the love and support you have given me and my family throughout these years. I will never forget it.

"This group will give you many more reasons to be happy, and I will be happy for you too. Never doubt that.

"You will always be in my heart, Blues. I will always wish you, always, nothing but the very best.

"Always Blue. Thank you, Chelsea. Enzo."

Fernandez could make his Manchester City debut as soon as Saturday as Coventry City travel to the Etihad Stadium for the third Premier League matchweek of the season.