Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez posts photo on social media alongside Manchester City star ahead of Argentina's WC qualifier

Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez has posted a snap of himself alongside in-form Manchester City attacker Julian Alvarez as Argentina gear up for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Peru.

Fernandez and Alvarez are part of Lionel Scaloni's squad who will take on Peru at the Estadio Nacional de Lima on Tuesday (October 17). La Abiceleste sit top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table with three wins from as many games.

The Chelsea midfielder took to Instagram to upload a photo of himself and Alvarez enjoying their downtime.

Both were members of Argentina's squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup last year in Qatar. Fernandez, 22, bagged one goal and one assist in seven games while Alvarez, 23, had four goals and one assist in as seven outings.

Fernandez arrived at Chelsea from Benfica for a then-club record €121 million in January this year. He has been a minor positive amidst the west Londoners' poor run of form, bagging one goal and two assists in 32 games across competitions.

Meanwhile, Alvarez has been at Manchester City since arriving on a €21.4 million move from Argentine outfit River Plate in January last year.

The exciting attacker has become one of Pep Guardiola's most important players this season. He has six goals and five assists in 13 games across competitions.

Fernandez talked up his connection with Alvarez in April, alluding to their past playing for River Plate in the Argentine Primera Division (via football.london):

"(I) have a connection with Juli (Alvarez) because we played together since River, and we know each other a lot. And he knows that when I’m in front, he has to make a move. He knows that, and we always talk about it."

The two World Cup winners started their career at Los Millonarios. They played 44 games together at Estadio Monumental, participating in five goals.

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Manchester City rivaling West Ham United for Ian Maatsen

Ian Maatsen has attracted interest from Manchester City.

TEAMTalk reports that Manchester City and West Ham are frontrunners in the race to sign versatile Chelsea left-back Ian Maatsen. The Dutch youngster was linked with a move to Burnley in the summer but opted to stay at Stamford Bridge.

However, Maatsen, 21, has failed to become a regular starter under new boss Mauricio Pochettino this season. He has started two of eight games across competitions, and there's uncertainty over his future.

The Netherlands U21 international's contract with the west Londoners expires next summer. He has been at Stamford Bridge since 2018 when he joined the Premier League giants from PSV Eindhoven's youth system.