According to a report from BBC, Chelsea have offered Benfica a massive £105 million for securing the signature of Enzo Fernandes. It is understood that the Argentinian midfielder was not planning to force his way out of the Portuguese club this month and so far there has not been a confirmation of the fact that Benfica have accepted the offer. But if the deal goes through, then the Blues could break the current British transfer record.
Fernandez’s Impressive Run Of Form In Portuguese Football This Season
Fernandez is enjoying a brilliant campaign at Benfica as he has been responsible for producing several influential displays in the middle of the park. The 22-year-old has appeared in 28 matches for the Portuguese outfit this season, finding the back of the net on four occasions and grabbing seven assists across multiple competitions.
The Argentine midfield ace has given a good account of himself by averaging 2.4 tackles, 0.9 interceptions, 1.8 shots, 1.8 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game in Liga Portugal.
He has even been accurate when distributing possession to his teammates after completing 88.2% of his attempted passes in the top tier of Portuguese football (stats via whoscored).
Fernandez’s contract at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica lasts until the summer of 2027. Hence, an offer in the region of £105 million could be deemed appropriate for the World Cup winner.
What Will He Bring To Chelsea?
Fernandez is a solid tackler of the ball and can make some crucial interceptions to secure the ball back for his team. He can strike the ball with power and accuracy from long range and has got the vision to create some decent plays for others around him. Fernandez is primarily a box-to-box midfielder but can also fill in as a defensive midfielder or function in the number ten position if required.
The Argentine playmaker can also make a few clever runs with the ball down the middle. However, there are doubts about whether he could make a smooth transition into the Premier League which is more physical and technical compared to the Portuguese First division.
At the moment, Fernandez is playing at a high level and would be an excellent signing for the Blues to pull off before the transfer market comes to a close. At 22, Fernandez will only get better over the coming seasons and is well-equipped to make an instant impact at Stamford Bridge. A huge offer in the region of £105 million should be enough to convince the Portuguese outfit into selling him, however, the fact remains that despite the outlay, this will be a gamble from the London club.
