Benfica boss Roger Schmidt ‘prepared for loss of Enzo Fernandez’ as Chelsea open talks with the Portuguese giants for the £106m rated World Cup star who has returned to the club in a ‘good mood and in good condition’
- Chelsea are in talks with Benfica over a move for midfielder Enzo Fernandez
- The Portuguese club fear the Blues will trigger his £106m release clause
- Graham Potter is keen to rebuild Chelsea into a younger side under his reign
- Fernandez was named the best Young Player at the World Cup held in Qatar
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has admitted his side are powerless to keep hold of Enzo Fernandez amid interest from Chelsea.
The Blues have opened talks with the Portuguese club over a move for the midfielder who is valued at £106m by his release clause which the Blues could be willing to trigger.
Fernandez has attracted plenty of interest this month after helping Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar where he was named Young Player of the Tournament.
Enzo Fernandez is a Chelsea target and has returned to his parent club Benfica following his World Cup win with Argentina in December
Speaking ahead of his side’s league trip to Braga on Friday, 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.’
Benfica boss Roger Schmidt though fears he could lose his star midfielder in January amid interest from Graham Potter’s Chelsea side
After celebrating back home with team-mates following Argentina’s win, Fernandez has now returned to Benfica along with Nicolas Otamendi.
When asked with the duo would feature on Friday, Schmidt revealed he would not go into detail over his starting line-up but that he was happy with their playing condition and mood around the camp despite Fernandez’s prospect of an attractive move to west London.
‘I’m not going to give 11, I can only say that they returned in a good mood, in good condition, they…