Benfica boss discloses Enzo Fernandez’s transfer decision after new Chelsea bid

• After a new Chelsea bid, Benfica’s manager reveals Enzo Fernandez’s transfer choice.

• Benfica confident Enzo Fernandez will stay despite new Chelsea bid.

Roger Schmidt, the head coach of Benfica, claims that Enzo Fernandez is “not thinking” about moving to Chelsea and is certain that he won’t leave the club this month.

Chelsea attempted to sign the Argentina international earlier this month but were unable to reach an agreement. However, they now intend to make another attempt to sign him before the January transfer window ends after being in regular communication with his agency recently.

He won’t go for less than his £106 million release clause, according to Benfica.

The Blues have demonstrated this month that they are not afraid to spend big money, having already spent £160 million on six new recruits.

Their attempts to sign Fernandez earlier this month were boosted by the 21-year-old’s desire to make the move happen. The midfielder agreed personal terms with Graham Potter’s side and returned to Argentina to celebrate New Year’s – missing training in the process – as he attempted to facilitate the move from his end.

Fernandez’s stance has changed however with reports in Portugal claiming on Wednesday he is happy to see out the season at the Estadio da Luz.

---

RELATED:

• Chelsea plan to build US-inspired Hall of Fame
• Benfica manager Roger Schmidt slams ‘disrespectful’ Chelsea over Enzo Fernandez pursuit
• Chelsea set to renew Enzo Fernandez transfer pursuit

---

Speaking at a press conference today ahead of Thursday’s league match against Pacos Ferreira, Schmidt confirmed the player is not expected to leave.

Asked if he was confident of Fernandez staying, Schmidt said: ‘Yes. When you see Enzo playing for Benfica you see a very happy player, in great shape.

‘He’s not thinking about anything else. I’m not expecting to lose any of our regulars, and that’s why I see very focused players and I hope this stays that way’.

The Benfica manager criticized Chelsea earlier this month for their “disrespectful” tactics, saying the team was driving Fernandez “crazy” and “trying to pretend” that they could pay the release clause.

‘There is a club who want our player. They know we don’t want to sell the player,’ he said. ‘They tried to get the player on their side and they know they can only get this player when they pay the clause.

‘It is a very clear situation. What the club is doing, it is disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing.

‘So to make the player crazy, and then to pretend they can pay the clause and then later they want to negotiate, it is not what I understands to be good relationship between clubs who want to discuss players.’