ENZO FERNANDEZ has released a farewell statement to Chelsea fans ahead of his Manchester city move.
The midfielder agreed a move to the Cityzen’s for a joint-record British fee of £125million on deadline day.
And now he has released a lengthy statement thanking fans for their support and explaining some of the situation that made his final months at the club so tense.
He admitted in the emotional post that the run in to his exit had been a difficult period, and that he hasn’t “been in a good place.”
He wrote: “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.
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“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.
“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.”
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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.
The video was accompanied by a video showing some of Fernandez’s highlights from his time at Stamford Bridge.
The farewell came moments before it was revealed that his apparent replacement, Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, would not be joining the Blues after all.
A deal was agreed and a medical scheduled for the Senegal international, with Monaco sanctioning his departure after Folarin Balogun’s move to Everton appeared to fall through on medical grounds.
But Everton revisited the negotiating table and hammered out a deal for the stricken star, causing Monaco to renege on their agreement with Chelsea and decide to hold on to Camara.
It was a rocky exit for Fernandez, who drew ire from the fans when he appeared to hint that he would be interested in a move to Real Madrid earlier this summer.
That transfer never materialised, but his former boss Enzo Maresca did swoop in to add him to his City squad.
The monster fee equals the record-breaking £125m that Liverpool paid for Alexander Isak last summer.