Fernandez has Chelsea number confirmed - but he'll need to wear another one
Enzo Fernandez will wear the No.5 at Chelsea - but only in the Premier League.
The Argentina international, 22, joined the Blues from Benfica for a British-record transfer fee of £107million on deadline day. He has signed a contract until June 2031 at Stamford Bridge and should be available for Chelsea's home game against Fulham on Friday.
Chelsea confirmed Fernandez will wear the No.5 shirt on Wednesday evening.
The number is available after Jorginho completed a £12m move to Arsenal on deadline day, but Fernandez will not be allowed to wear it in the Champions League due to a UEFA rule.
UEFA do not usually allow two players to wear the same number at a club during the same season. Therefore, Fernandez may have to pick an alternative jersey for Chelsea's upcoming Champions League games against Borussia Dortmund in the last 16.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Fernandez could take the No.2 or No.3, which have not been used in European competitions this season after the departures of Antonio Rudiger and Marcos Alonso. Other options include the No.25 and No.55... if he wanted to have another five on his shirt.
Fernandez would not be the first player to wear a different shirt in a European competition. Liverpool fans with a good memory will recall when Andy Carroll wore the No.29 in the Europa League after replacing Fernando Torres in the Liverpool squad in January 2011.
Enzo Fernandez will wear the No.5 at Chelsea (Chelsea FC)Do you think Enzo Fernandez will be a good signing for Chelsea? Let us know in the comments below!
Henrikh Mkhitaryan wore the No.77 for Arsenal in the Europa League following his move from Manchester United in January 2018, despite sporting the No.7 in the Premier League. That was due to Alexis Sanchez wearing the No.7 in Europe earlier that season.
Other examples include Erik Lamela's No.33 shirt at Tottenham in 2013/14 (No.11 in the Premier League), Lionel Messi's No.30 shirt at Barcelona in 2005/06 (No.19 in LaLiga) and Pascal Chimbonda's No.97 shirt at Spurs in 2008/09 (No.21 in the Premier League).
UEFA may make an exception when Fernandez is included in Chelsea's squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League. He is eligible to play in Europe, despite featuring for Benfica earlier in the tournament. UEFA have abolished their cup-tied rule.
Fernandez's move to Chelsea completes a remarkable rise. Benfica paid just £10m to sign the central midfielder from River Plate only seven months ago - making a huge profit. River Plate have also cashed in due to a 25 per cent sell-on clause.
Chelsea's interest in Fernandez started after the star helped Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar. Several top European clubs were reportedly keen on signing him - including Liverpool - but they were all put off by his substantial £107m release clause.
Chelsea tried to sign Fernandez on the cheap but were thwarted when Benfica insisted they were not interested in negotiating. In the end, the Blues agreed to pay his release clause and completed the transfer moments before the window slammed shut.
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