Two smaller turbines can have the same frontal area, which is what creates the efficiency. It's total area, not diameter. Well it is the amount of power per uni

Two smaller turbines can have the same frontal area, which is what creates the efficiency. It's total area, not diameter. Well it is the amount of power per unit of frontal area. Turbofan airflow already hits the support structures for the engine. Everything is a compromise of course. Tossing a bit over the top of the wing could be beneficial, with the impact of the wing being less harmful than the alternatives.