De Bruyne dismisses Enzo Fernandez's level; Barcelona set date for Gabriel Jesus debut; Tottenham clear path for Richarlison exit

Kevin De Bruyne rarely minces his words, but when he speaks, the whole Premier League stops to listen. In an interview with Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad on September 14, the 34-year-old Manchester City midfielder shocked the football world with a brutally honest assessment of Enzo Fernandez, the player valued at £125 million when he joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2026. "I've watched him. He's a good player, but someone has painted too big a picture. People talk about him as a natural successor to me at Manchester City — I don't think so. Enzo's level right now is nowhere near what I've done for a decade. £125 million is just a figure on paper; it is not a marker of class." This is one of the rare public criticisms from a top star aimed at a young player in the same league. De Bruyne didn't mention dressing-room matters, but the message is clear: if Manchester City truly targets Enzo Fernandez as his heir, they are looking at the wrong man. Enzo Fernandez arrived at Chelsea in the winter transfer window for a record £125 million, making him the most expensive signing in English football history. Since then, however, the Argentine international has not shown the consistency expected of that price tag. De Bruyne's comments sharpen the question about spending among English giants — are Chelsea or City buying based on "World Cup hype" or a long-term plan? De Bruyne himself was once seen as a "failed signing" after leaving Chelsea in 2026, before becoming a legend at City. His perspective carries unique weight: he knows both sides of the coin. In Spain, Barcelona are finalising the registration of Gabriel Jesus for the early stages of the season. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Brazilian forward completed his first full training session after recovering from injury. Coach Hansi Flick is likely to use Jesus immediately in the La Liga Round 4 match against Valencia this weekend. The former Arsenal and Manchester City player is expected to provide quality backup to Barcelona's attack, where Robert Lewandowski remains the undisputed starter. If Jesus maintains good fitness, he could become an important tactical weapon in the congested schedule. However, a day before that training session, Spanish media noted he had to train individually because his workload had not reached the required intensity. Barcelona must closely monitor the recovery of the 28-year-old to avoid a repeat of the injury issues he endured at Arsenal. Tottenham Hotspur have officially removed Richarlison from their Premier League squad registration for the 2026/26 season, a clear signal that the Brazil international is no longer in the manager's plans. talkSPORT sources say Spurs are trying every way to offload him, with Everton the most interested club. The deal has almost collapsed because Richarlison insists on leaving only on his own terms, including a signing bonus and no wage cut. He remains under contract until the summer of 2027, so Tottenham will struggle to persuade him to leave voluntarily. Without an agreement, Richarlison could be frozen out for the entire season — a scenario that benefits neither side. This squad exclusion could even trigger a legal battle if the player sues the club for obstructing his career. Meanwhile, Anthony Martial has not yet found a new home after leaving Manchester United as a free agent. The French striker is being linked with Everton as a mid-season attacking reinforcement. Martial scored 79 goals in 209 appearances for United, but his form has dipped over the last two years due to injuries and inconsistency. Everton need an experienced centre-forward since Dominic Calvert-Lewin is frequently injured. But Martial's wages — around £250,000 per week — are a major obstacle for Goodison Park. He may have to accept a significant pay cut to continue playing at the highest level. If he fails to find a club before the market closes, Martial faces six months of inactivity, which will hurt his chances of a move in the January transfer window. From Italy, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Franco Mastantuono, one of Real Madrid's brightest young prospects, is close to joining Fiorentina on loan until the end of the season. Interestingly, Jose Mourinho — who managed Real Madrid from 2026 to 2026 — advised him to leave the Bernabeu to get regular game time. The 18-year-old Mastantuono is considered a rough diamond of Argentine football. He joined Real Madrid from River Plate earlier this year, but competition in Real's midfield is intense. Mourinho believes a full season in Serie A will accelerate Mastantuono's development, much as he did for many young players. If the loan works out, Real Madrid will have a more mature midfielder ready for the first team from the 2026/27 season. European football always moves according to hidden rules: contracts, registration, loans — every decision carries weight. These scattered stories all revolve around one big theme: the real value of a player versus the price paid. De Bruyne reminds us that a £125 million fee can create expectations but not class. Gabriel Jesus and Anthony Martial show that fitness and contracts determine career fate. Richarlison and Mastantuono sit at opposite extremes: one trapped by demanding too much, the other listening to advice to take the long-term path. The referee of these transfers is not VAR; it is the wisdom of career management. As someone used to watching from the VAR room, I know that seemingly trivial decisions can alter a person's entire destiny. Next week, watch the Barcelona–Valencia match, Tottenham's bench, and Everton's dugout. There will be new stories, but the essence remains the same: football is not just about goals; it is about decisions no one sees — and sometimes it takes days, or weeks, to realise who was right and who was wrong.