February 01, (THEWILL) – Chelsea secured Enzo Fernandez’s services after paying a record-breaking fee of £106.8 million (€121m) to meet his release clause at Benfica.
This transfer makes Fernandez the English Premier League’s highest-ever signing. The deal was confirmed just 90 minutes after the transfer window closed, with a long-term contract rumoured to last until 2032.
Fernandez, the Young Player of the Tournament in the 2022 World Cup, is Chelsea’s eighth signing in the January transfer window and takes their spending to £288.5 million (€328.5m). The talented midfielder has only been with Benfica for a year after transferring from River Plate but has already made a significant impact, helping the club top their UEFA Champions League group.
Fernandez’s arrival at Chelsea is expected to add a new dimension to the team’s midfield options. The Argentine’s performance in the World Cup, where he was involved in 27 shot-ending sequences and carried the ball 1,239.7 metres, has drawn attention to his abilities and competitiveness.
With a duel success rate of 58.8%, winning 40 of his 68 engagements, Fernandez could make his Chelsea debut as early as Friday against Fulham and drastically improve their overall play.
