Jamie Carragher Makes Bold Chelsea and Man City Prediction After Enzo Fernandez Deal Agreed

Jamie Carragher has given an interesting prediction about Manchester City and Chelsea challenging Arsenal for the title after Enzo Fernandez's big-money move, which matches the British transfer record. Fernandez joined the Etihad outfit in the last few hours of deadline day.

Chelsea accepted an offer believed to be worth around £125 million for Fernandez. The fee matches the British transfer record set by Liverpool’s deal for Alexander Isak last summer.

Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica for £106.8 million in January 2023, then a British record and still one of the Premier League’s biggest transfer fees. The Argentina international made 170 appearances for Chelsea, scoring 31 goals and providing 30 assists.

In 2025–26, Fernandez recorded 15 goals and seven assists in 54 matches, including 10 goals and four assists in 36 Premier League appearances. He also worked with Enzo Maresca at Chelsea for 18 months before Maresca took charge at City.

Chelsea’s decision to sell follows a 10th-placed Premier League finish and the loss of European football. The £125 million deal would give the club an estimated £18 million profit on its 2023 investment and remove Fernandez’s wages from the bill.

What Jamie Carragher Said About Man City and Chelsea After Enzo Fernandez Deal

Carragher gave his view on Sky Sports. He said the signing makes City stronger than Chelsea in the race to challenge Arsenal for the title.

"I think it pushes them above Chelsea as title contenders; they look a lot stronger," Carragher said. His comments frame the deal as a shift in the balance of power at the top of the league.

Carragher made the comments during Sky Sports’ Deadline Day coverage, arguing that Fernandez’s arrival gives City a stronger midfield than Chelsea.

He still considers Arsenal the team to beat but now sees City as their main challenger for the Premier League title.

Why Enzo Fernandez Transfer Changes Premier League Title Race

Fernandez gives City a midfielder who can create and score from deeper positions. He scored 15 goals for Chelsea last season. City's system relies on controlling games through midfield dominance. Those qualities should add another attacking option to City’s midfield.

Chelsea, by contrast, enter the season after a major squad overhaul. Their 10th-place finish and lack of European football leave them with plenty of work to do. Carragher believes City have strengthened more than Chelsea have weakened.

And Fernandez's availability for selection will determine how quickly he can influence City's title challenge. He joins completes Maresca's midfield rebuild following the arrivals of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116m and Ayyoub Bouaddi from LOSC Lille for £86m.