Marcel Desailly tells Xabi Alonso what to do with Enzo Fernandez if he stays at Chelsea

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Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly is definitely a fan of Enzo Fernandez, but he may not get to see him play at Stamford Bridge next season.

Fernandez continues to be linked with a move away from west London amid interest from Real Madrid.

Fernandez is worth a lot of money, so Chelsea could just end up pricing him out of a transfer. If they do, Desailly has a message for incoming boss Xabi Alonso.

DEBATE: Bruno Guimaraes is a better all-round midfielder than Enzo Fernandez

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Marcel Desailly wants to see Enzo Fernandez in different role next to Moises Caicedo

Last season was Fernandez’s best in a Chelsea shirt. He played as an attacking No.8 and No.10, scoring 15 goals in all competitions.

Despite that, Desailly would like to see the Argentine playing much deeper in a role beside Moises Caicedo.

In an interview with Flashscore, the World Cup winner said: “Stop using Fernandez as the playmaker of the team. No! He’s a defensive midfielder. Very intelligent. Caicedo needs him on his side to be able to read and understand.”

There is no guarantee that Fernandez will even be at Stamford Bridge next term, but the Blues do have other options who can play next to Caicedo.

Alonso will have Andrey Santos, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo at his disposal, while Chelsea could also sign a new midfielder.

Chelsea are being linked with Adam Wharton, but Crystal Palace’s £100m price tag could easily put them off.

• READ MORE: Jose Mourinho may have put an end to Enzo Fernandez’s dreams of playing for Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso shouldn’t change Enzo Fernandez’s role in the team

Fernandez has played as a No.6 in the past, and Chelsea did not get the best out of him when he did.

He has some attributes for the role. The 25-year-old can receive the ball, pass it and control the game. Fernandez is not afraid to make a tackle either.

With that being said, the former Benfica man is still not renowned for being an excellent tackler, and he does not cover spaces and get around the pitch as efficiently as someone such as Caicedo, for example.

Fernandez is better at crashing the box where he can score goals, which means starting him as an eight or 10. Not too many Chelsea fans will agree with Desailly here.