Chelsea’s interest in the Argentine Player Enzo Fernandez
Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has claimed that his team are better off without Chelsea-bound Enzo Fernandez, declaring they only need those who are happy to represent the Portuguese club.
Although official announcements are still pending, it is rumoured that Chelsea have signed Fernandez from Benfica. The move was finalized in the dying hours of deadline day with the Blues agreeing to pay a British record €121 million for his services. Now currently Enzo Is taking medical examination in libson.
Club officials are understood to be in Lisbon as they work to get a deal over the line, with Chelsea having told Benfica they are prepared to pay Fernandez’s £105m release clause. However, the clubs have so far been unable to agree payment terms.
The Argentine World Cup winner who has been left out of Benfica’s squad for their Primeira Liga game at Arouca on Tuesday. Enzo Fernandz was informed that will be playing in Portuguese side again he wants to join Chelsea.
Chelsea want to structure the payments in six installments over five years as paying in one go has Financial Fair Play and tax implications
Benfica have asked for three payments in two years but Chelsea want to pay less of a fee up-front if they are to agree to that.
Benfica have so far not answered to this offer, which was received at 6.15pm on Deadline Day.
“It feels a bit scattergun – we thought that in the summer. I do think there is obviously a plan about what they want to do in the future,” in an interview.
“I would be really interested to know what the manager’s private thoughts are as it feels like he has just come into this club and players are just coming in left, right and centre and he has to build something and create some sort of team.
Todd’s Boehly interview Statement
“He will have great players, but can you create that sort of team ethic and bond that all great teams need in the future?
“But if you are a Chelsea fan, it is really exciting. Todd Boehly has come in and put his money where his mouth is and he wants to get Chelsea right back to the top.”
“I don’t really like buying players on the back of World Cups. You need more than that. But he was outstanding. It’s a lot of money.
“This league is like no other league in the world, it’s so difficult. You have to take a chance along the way. Can he produce what he produced at the World Cup? Only time will tell.”
Enzo Fernandez’s debut
” Enzo Fernandez’s attributes make it clear how he can help. Still only halfway through his first season with Benfica, he has racked up the second-most assists in the Primeira Liga, and created 30 chances for his team-mates – some of them particularly most remarkable and a stunning set-up for Goncalo Ramos against Sporting earlier this month perhaps the pick of the bunch.
“It is that kind of potential which had Manchester City and Real Madrid interested in bringing him in from boyhood side River Plate last summer before he settled on a move to Lisbon.
“No one in the Portuguese top flight has made more passes than the Argentine, and if he does prove to replace Jorginho at Stamford Bridge, he will also provide something extra in the final third where he tops the charts for passes too.
“Should Chelsea want to play with a midfield two, he would offer a better option there too. Fernandez has already taken responsibility without the ball at Benfica, slotting into an anchorman role regularly as required. He has been one of the league’s top tacklers, and only 10 players across the division have won the ball back more in the middle third despite his considerable output further up the pitch.”
