Benfica boss delivers cold response to Fernandez Chelsea move after "disrespect"

01 February 2023 , 12:41

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Enzo Fernandez was a Benfica player for less than a year (Image: Getty Images)

Roger Schmidt appeared none too happy after losing Benfica star Enzo Fernandez on transfer deadline day.

Fernandez, who only joined Benfica from River Plate over the summer, completed a £107m switch to Stamford Bridge after lengthy negotiations between Chelsea and Schmidt's side. River will take a healthy 25% of the total after including a sell-on clause in their sale, while Chelsea's late move means Benfica only have until February 2 - when the Portuguese window closes - to find a replacement.

Schmidt, who took over at Estadio da Luz in May, has previously been critical of Chelsea's dealings over their new record signing. The German was asked about the deal after his team's league victory over Arouca on Tuesday, and his position was clear.

"We talked about it [with club president Rui Costa], the deal is done, it’s part of football but what matters is Benfica," Schmidt said after the game (per Metro ). "Today I’m not going to talk about players who are no longer here.

"I’m happy with the players who are here, I like the team. attitude, and patience, they enjoy playing for Benfica. Benfica is a fantastic club and we are enjoying playing for Benfica immensely and we have tried everything to make the fans happy and in the end become champions."

Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush

Former West Ham midfielder Joao Mario scored twice for Benfica in their 3-0 win, with Petar Musa also on target. Schmidt's team are in the quarter-finals of the cup, while they also sit top of the league and have a Champions League last-16 meeting with Club Brugge on the horizon.

Has Fernandez made a mistake moving to Chelsea? Have your say in the comments section

Benfica boss Roger Schmidt has been outspoken on the Fernandez saga (AFP via Getty Images)

Back at the start of January, Schmidt hit out at Chelsea over their pursuit of World Cup winner Fernandez. "There's a club who want our player. They know we don't want to sell the player," he told the media .

"They try to get the player on their side and they know that they can only get this player when they pay the [release] clause. So it's a very clear situation, what the club is doing who wants to buy Enzo.

"It's disrespectful against all of us, against Benfica and I cannot accept what they are doing. So to make the player crazy and then pretend they can pay the clause and later they want to negotiate, I think it's not what I understand about a good relationship between clubs who maybe want to discuss a player. That's what I can say about the whole topic with Enzo and I will not answer further consequential questions."

Chelsea made a late swoop for Enzo Fernandez (Getty Images)

Days later, the manager declared the transfer "closed," and continued to call upon Fernandez. "He's our player, he's in a very good condition, he's training well, he's happy, so he's part of the squad and a key player," Schmidt added.

The 22-year-old started league games against Sporting, Santa Clara and Pacos de Ferreira, helping Benfica remain clear at the top. He also played and scored in the round of 16 in the cup as Benfica beat Varzim, and patted the badge in an apparent show of where his future would lie.

It wasn't to be, though. Fernandez is now a Chelsea player, and Schmidt's stance couldn't be much more clear after a dramatic end to the month.

Tom Victor