Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has broken his silence on Chelsea’s interest in signing Argentine youngster Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea’s interest in signing highly-rated Argentine World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez has received a significant boost after Benfica manager Roger Schmidt admitted the club’s powerlessness in stopping the player from joining the Premier League side.
Roger Schmidt admitted his side is powerless to keep hold of Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Chelsea.
After emerging as the World Cup wonderkid and most promising youngster, Enzo Fernandez fell off the radar of top clubs in Europe, who are keen on signing the youngster in the January transfer window.
Chelsea are the frontrunners in the race to sign Enzo Fernandez, and the Blues are keen on completing the deal as fast as possible to stem off potential hijacks.
Now, the London-based club has been given a significant boost in their pursuit of the 21-year-old after Benfica manager Roger Schmidt said Benfica are powerless to stop Enzo Fernandez from joining the Blues.
Speaking ahead of his side’s league trip to Braga, Schmidt revealed that his most talented stars will always be at risk of being sold once the transfer window opens on January 1.
‘As for the market, until December 31 we are sure, nobody can come to buy us any player,’ he said.
‘Now I am focused on Braga, everything else will happen when the market opens. It’s always the same: when you have very talented players, there is a risk of losing them, you have to be prepared. Now the focus is on Braga.’
Enzo Fernandes, who won the Young Player Award of the 2022 World Cup, has returned to Benfica after taking part in a hysterical World Cup celebration in Bueno Aires.
Enzo Fernandes returned with his teammate and former Manchester City star Nicolas Otamendi.
Roger Schmidt also revealed Enzo Fernandez is in good spirits, and is motivated ahead of Benfica’s game against Braga.
‘I’m not going to give 11, I can only say that they returned in a good mood, in good condition, they trained with the team and they are motivated,’ he added
Enzo Fernadez has started all Benfica games this season, and is an integral part of the team, who have qualified for the knockout of the UEFA Champions League.
He also started all of Argentina’s World Cup games, and scored in their 2-0 win over Mexico in the group stages.
Enzo Fernandez is a perfect signing for the Blues, given their new transfer policy focused on scouting and recruiting young talents.
Chelsea manager Graham Potter has been given the leeway to rebuild the Blues’ squad and modeled it after his won design with a number of new signings. A deal with Benfica for Enzo Fernandez will be a great boost to the team and big leverage for Graham Potter as Chelsea struggle to reach agreement with N’Golo Kante for a new deal.
Also, Jorginho’s contract expires at the end of the summer, and the club is yet to reach an agreement with the Spaniard for a contract extension.
It is believed Enzo Fernadez’s potential move to Stamford Bridge could be a deal breaker, helping Chelsea find a way through the mazy contract extension proposals for Kante and Jorginho.
However, the Blues still have to beat Atletico Madrid, who are also interested in the youngster.
