Benfica boss responds to Fernandez's move to Chelsea as Ziyech discovers fate
It was an enthralling deadline day for Chelsea fans - as World Cup winner Enzo Fernandez finally arrived from Benfica for a British-record transfer fee.
The Blues paid £107million to secure Fernandez's services - eclipsing the £100m Manchester City spent on Jack Grealish in August 2021. The Argentina international, 22, is expected to be available for the Premier League game against rivals Fulham on Friday.
Although Fernandez's transfer dominated deadline day, there were several subplots - including Jorginho's move to Premier League leaders Arsenal and Hakim Ziyech's failed loan switch to Paris Saint-Germain. Here are the main headlines from Stamford Bridge.
Benfica boss gives cold response
Benfica manager Roger Schmidt was not interested in talking about Fernandez following the central midfielder's move to Chelsea.
Fernandez has signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge, just seven months after joining Benfica from River Plate. The transfer was confirmed shortly after Benfica's 3-0 win at Arouca on Tuesday - and Schmidt was asked about it at full-time.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
"We talked about it [with Benfica president Rui Costa] - the deal is done," said Schmidt. "It’s part of football but what matters is Benfica. Today, I’m not going to talk about players who are no longer here. I’m happy with the players who are here.
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"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."
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Potter's dream line-up
Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League - but they will surely climb the table after spending nearly £300m on new players in January.
Manager Graham Potter boasts a squad that contains the talents of Edouard Mendy, Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Marc Cucurella, N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Fernandez and many others.
Chelsea have spent more than £550m on fresh talent since Todd Boehly completed a takeover last summer - making them the biggest spenders in Europe. Mirror Football's Alex Richards has taken a look at how the Blues could line up following their latest splurge.
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Ziyech's furious text messages
Hakim Ziyech saw a move to PSG fall through on deadline day (Getty Images)Ziyech reportedly sent text messages to Boehly to sanction his loan move to PSG just moments before the window shut - but to no avail.
Chelsea were happy to let the Morocco international, 29, join PSG. He even travelled to the French capital on Tuesday, such was the confidence in the deal. Yet a move collapsed when the Blues failed to submit the necessary paperwork in time.
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That leaves Ziyech in a difficult position, as he must compete with new signings Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Joao Felix for a role in Potter's side. As such, it no surprise that he is 'incandescent' with the situation and has made his feelings known.
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