Jamie Carragher names the only one team that can stop Arsenal winning the Premier League

Fernandez’s transfer came after months of negotiations, and Carragher believes the move has strengthened Manchester City’s chances of challenging for the title while simultaneously weakening Chelsea.

Several pundits had tipped Chelsea as potential dark horses for the Premier League crown after they opened the campaign with two impressive victories under new manager Xabi Alonso.

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However, Carragher believes the departure of ‘big player’ Fernandez represents a major setback and leaves Manchester City as the only credible challengers to Arsenal’s title defence.

‘Myself and plenty of others have felt Chelsea will have a really good season,’ Carragher told Sky Sports. ‘And I still believe that a lot of that is on the back of not having European football, having a new manager, the front three that they’ve got.

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‘But they’re losing Enzo Fernandez, who, for me has been one of the big players for Chelsea.

‘Manchester City look a lot stronger now. I would say they’re going to be the biggest challenges to Arsenal right now.

‘It is a really good squad. There’s no doubt about that. There’s been a lot of turnover. Losing Rodri was a big thing and I thought it would be really difficult to recover from that.

‘But if you said at the end of last season, they would bring in Elliot Anderson and Enzo Fernandez, you’d say, that’s a top midfield. They’ve paid top dollar for it, so it should be.

‘That gives them the greatest chance of being the main challengers and maybe the only team who can really wrestle this title from Arsenal.’

Fernandez had been a key figure in Chelsea’s side since joining from Benfica for £107m in 2023, although he made his desire to depart the club clear earlier this summer.

After completing his switch to the Etihad Stadium, Fernandez posted a heartfelt message on social media, saying: ‘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. Thank you.’

Fernandez could potentially make his Manchester City debut on Saturday, with Frank Lampard’s Coventry City set to travel to the Etihad Stadium.

Meanwhile, Chelsea will resume their Premier League campaign on Sunday when they face reigning champions Arsenal away from home.