World champion Enzo Fernandez has to prepare for trouble at Benfica Lisbon. As coach Roger Schmidt said at a press conference of the Portuguese Champions League round of 16 on Thursday, the Argentinean was recently at home without his employer’s permission. “He missed training, that will have consequences,” said Schmidt regarding the 21-year-old, who is being courted by other clubs.
Fernandez’ contract in Lisbon is valid until mid-2027. He only moved to Europe from River Plate last year. The release clause is said to be 120 million euros and Chelsea are very interested. Such a situation might overwhelm a young player, said the ex-Salzburg coach. “He played a good World Cup, became world champion, got offers and there is a lot of money on the table. That confuses you as a young player.”
But Schmidt made it clear: “We don’t want to sell him. Not me, not the President – nobody,” said Schmidt. Chelsea would have tried to lure Fernandez knowing they might only get him if they paid the transfer fee, Schmidt stressed. The offer is said to be clearly below that. “This club disregards us all,” said the 55-year-old in the direction of the Englishman: “That’s not acceptable.” Fernandez was named the best young player of the tournament at the World Cup in Qatar.
