Benfica coach Roger Schmidt talked about Fernandes being connected to Chelsea at a pre-press conference ahead of the Portimonense match on the 5th (Korean time). Fernández was also noted for his outstanding potential while playing for Benfica. Stock prices skyrocketed after the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
This is because he helped Argentina win the championship by solving midfield problems and helping Lionel Messi. With Leander Paredes and Rodrigo De Paul, he stayed on as a substitute. Even at the beginning of the World Cup, he was a replacement resource, but due to serious midfield problems, he was called up by coach Lionel Scaloni and appointed as a starter.
Fernandez was more stable than his more experienced predecessors. He led the build-up right in front of the defense, helped with the deployment, and was sure to support the back. Equipped with his mobility and progressiveness, his tactical utilization was high. He is also good at keeping the ball, so he doesn’t lose the ball easily, and he has clear vision and instant sense, which helped Argentina in many ways.
He also won the Qatar World Cup Young Player Award. Fernandez has become a hot potato, and teams who want to strengthen their midfield competitiveness rushed to him. Chelsea was active. There were Jorginho and N’Golo Kante, but when the situation repeated that he could not exert his strength due to injuries and poor performance, he started to recruit Fernandez. Recently, it also fits the direction of Chelsea, which is preparing for the present and future at the same time by supplying young players.
The transfer fee was too high. Benfica demanded 120 million euros 안전놀이터 (approximately 161.5 billion won), the buyout of Fernandez. Chelsea seemed to refuse, but showed a willingness to invest and sat down at the negotiating table. There was also a story that some said they pushed for a quick recruitment by offering more than a buyout. A move to Chelsea seemed likely, but Schmidt said, “Chelsea is rude. They offered a low price as if they would pay the buyout amount.”
“We don’t want to sell Fernandes. Chelsea want to, but unless they pay a buyout, neither do I, nor does Rui Costa. All Benfica members will do the same. What can I say about Fernandes? That’s all. I won’t answer any more related questions.”
Reporter Fabricio Romano, familiar with the news of the transfer market, said, “Chelsea’s final bid was 85 million euros (approximately 114.4 billion won). Upon hearing this, President Costa immediately rejected it.” Due to the difference in views on the transfer fee, the transfer was canceled, and it seems unknown whether additional negotiations will take place due to the mutual appraisal.