Enzo Fernandez arrived at Manchester City for a British record transfer fee, but is yet to live up to the expectations that came with his hefty price tag. The World Cup-winning player is struggling to replicate the performances that made him one of the most sought-after midfielders.
Enzo Maresca’s side three successive league defeats before the start of the November international friendlies have further exposed the Argentine’s poor start at the Etihad Stadium.
Enzo is yet to demonstrate his creative skills this season, with just one goal contribution in nine Premier League games. His ability to control the game from deep has taken a sharp turn as well.
Amidst this challenging period, Fernandez took a trip down memory lane as he visited Buenos Aires ahead of Argentina’s friendly fixture against Uruguay.
The Manchester City midfielder returned to his former club, River Plate, where his football journey began in 2007.
Despite his big-money moves and his worldwide success, the player remembers where it all started. Last month, Enzo had revealed his desire to return to River Plate at some point in his career.
“I want to return to River, I said it a lot of times and every time I have the opportunity,” Enzo told Los Edul. “I would love to and I will be back at some point, for sure. It’s something I want very much. Nothing happens. I’ll take charge of the file. If I say it, it’s because I’m sorry. I need to return to River to win things and enjoy the River world for more years than I did.”
Showing further commitment towards his plans, the star midfielder made an emotional return to his boyhood club, River Plate, on Wednesday, November 11.
Before joining Argentina’s training camp for the upcoming friendlies, Enzo visited the club’s iconic stadium, Estadio Monumental, and met the president, Stefano Di Carlo.
The 25-year-old was honoured with the club’s special 26/27 anniversary jersey, bearing his name and number 13, the same number he donned during his best seasons at River Plate.
Enzo shared the picture of his visit to the Monumental on Instagram stories, captioning it “En Casa(Home)”. River Plate also took an opportunity to welcome back one of their best homegrown players by sharing pictures on their social media.
❤️🤍
— Enzo Fernández (@EnzoFe17) November 11, 2026
Enzo, born in Buenos Aires, joined River Plate’s academy at the age of six. He rose through academy ranks before earning his first senior cap under manager Marcelo Gallardo in March 2020.
He was loaned to Defensa y Justicia, the top-flight club in Argentina, to gain more first-team football. He led the club to the 2020 Copa Sudamericana and returned to River Plate at the end of the season.
He delivered career-defining performances during the 2021-22 campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists in 23 matches for the club.
After establishing himself as one of the best young players in Argentina, Enzo joined Benfica in July 2022. He played a crucial role in Argentina’s triumph at the FIFA 2022 World Cup, attracting interest from the top European clubs.
He was signed by Chelsea in January 2023 for £107 million, a British transfer fee record at the time. Manchester City spent £125 million to secure his signature in the last summer transfer window, making him the first player in history to be sold for over £100 million twice.
Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez has joined Argentina’s training camp ahead of the team’s clash against Uruguay at La Bombonera on Friday, November 13.
