Real Madrid had an opportunity to sign Enzo Fernandez from Chelsea to be their new No. 6 this season, and Jose Mourinho did seem to be highly interested in him as the No. 1 target for the position, even before he went after Rodri, who turned out to be using Real Madrid in order to get his real dream move to bitter rivals Barcelona.
But Florentino Perez seemed to have even less interest in splurging on Enzo, who already joined Chelsea for well over 100 million euros a couple of years ago from Jose's old club Benfica. Unlike Rodri, whom he eventually showed at least some interest in, Florentino had Real Madrid release a literal statement saying that they are not - and will never be - interested in him.
Even after Manchester City signed another possible Real Madrid defensive midfield target in teenage breakout star Ayyoub Bouaddi, the Citizens have made an even bigger splash, spending an outrageous 125 million pounds to sign the wantaway defensive midfielder from Xabi Alonso's Chelsea.
Real Madrid avoided an Enzo Fernandez error
Enzo Fernandez spent months twerking for Real Madrid, and while Jose Mourinho seemed willing to oblige, Florentino Perez had no interest in signing the Argentina international. And after his antics at the World Cup, many Real Madrid fans will be very happy about that.
Furthermore, the price tag is what truly vindicates Florention here. There is simply no way Real Madrid were going to spend 125 million pounds on a defensive midfielder who is, quite frankly, coming off a mediocre year at Chelsea. The Blues are somehow selling Enzo at a profit even though he has not shown he is anywhere near worth the amount they originally paid to Benfica for him, yet Manchester City are more than happy to reward mediocrity.
Florentino is not, on the other hand, and even though Real Madrid have the money, it does not mean they have to spend it. 140 million euros on a 19 year old superstar winger coming off an insane season like Yan Diomande is a better allocation of resources than that same amount of money on an older defensive midfielder who causes more headaches with his character concerns than great plays on the pitch at the elite club level. And as Real Madrid have learned, you can't take low competition at the international level seriously, especially at the No. 6 position when it is easy to have possession against minnows. Real Madrid avoided spending more money than they should have here.
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