EPL: Chelsea identify 16-year-old midfielder to replace Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea have reportedly identified teenage midfielder Reggie Watson as a potential successor to Enzo Fernandez at Stamford Bridge.

Argentina international Fernandez completed a £125 million transfer to Manchester City on the final day of the 2026 summer transfer window.

City agreed to pay Chelsea a fixed fee of £125 million, setting a joint-British transfer record and representing the highest fee ever received by the west London club for a player.

Fernandez had been pushing for a move away from Stamford Bridge even before the summer transfer window opened, and Chelsea eventually concluded that it was in the club’s best interest to allow his departure just hours before the deadline.

Flashscore, as reported by Chelsea Chronicle, now indicates that Chelsea could look to their academy for a replacement for Fernandez.

With Xabi Alonso’s side unable to finalise a deal for Lamine Camara, the Blues find themselves with limited options in midfield.

The report suggests that Chelsea could turn to 16-year-old academy talent Reggie Watson to help address their midfield concerns.

Watson could be given opportunities to feature regularly for the first team should Reece James and Romeo Lavia encounter injury problems.