Why Enzo Fernandez is worth every penny of €127m fee

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 Jan 2023 09:22 GMT
• 5 min read

Enzo Fernandez's proposed transfer to Chelsea is edging ever closer, with reports suggesting that he is set to join the West London club for a huge €127 million.

Interest in the Benfica midfielder has gathered speed following his impressive showing at the 2022 World Cup, with the 21-year-old one of Argentina's most impressive performers in Qatar.

His introduction into the starting XI was a masterstroke by Lionel Scaloni and provided the foundations for their triumph in the final. Fernandez was also awarded the Young Player of the Tournament award in Qatar - a justified decision following an immense month by the former River Plate man.

READ: How much will Enzo Fernandez earn at Chelsea?

While Chelsea will no doubt have been scouting Fernandez for a while, his form at the World Cup saw him rise to prominence and has clearly played a role in their desperation to sign him.

Benfica understandably don't want to lose their star man, but Fernandez has made it clear that he wishes to leave, meaning the Portuguese giants are being pushed into a sale. However, like with Darwin Nunez's move to Liverpool, Fernandez won't come cheap.

His €120m release clause must be met, and Di Marzio has reported that the fee will reach €127m, with Chelsea paying an extra €7m to avoid an FFP breach. Despite the inflated fee, it's a move Chelsea simply must make.

READ: Chelsea to sign Enzo Fernandez for €127m

Why Fernandez is worth the money to Chelsea

Just like Liverpool, who are in the same boat with regards to their squad, Chelsea have completed neglected their midfield for years.

The last midfielder of starting quality to arrive was Mateo Kovacic, who was signed permanently in 2019, but had already been at the club for a season on loan. Therefore, his arrival in the summer of 2018, which coincided with the acquisition of Jorginho, was the last time Chelsea addressed the middle of the park.

Four-and-a-half years have passed since that point and the Blues have remained static. That in itself is a problem giving the investment made by the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, and that problem is only enhanced when considering the injury problems that have hit both Kovacic and N'Golo Kante, and the fact that Jorginho and Kante's current deals are set to expire later this year.

Denis Zakaria's loan move for Juventus will also end in June 2023, leaving the Blues desperately thin in midfield.

Reports suggest that Kante may extend his deal at Stamford Bridge, but he's missed 47 games since the start of last season - he can't be relied upon fitness-wise.

Senior players in the dressing room also reportedly believe Jorginho's deal won't be extend, meaning the club must dip into the market.

At face value, Chelsea already need to strengthen in midfield. Jorginho has his qualities, but the Blues have been over-powered in midfield time and time again, and his lack of mobility plays a huge role in that. Furthermore, Kovacic and Kante aren't always fit, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher aren't good enough to be anything more than squad players, and Carney Chukwuemeka is still young and needs time before becoming a key player.

Therefore, someone like Fernandez is needed to drastically improve their midfield. While Chelsea's squad has issues running throughout most positions, signing a quality central midfielder is the most important piece of the puzzle, and Fernandez looks like the answer.

At the World Cup he displayed the grit and aggression he provides in midfield, which is sorely missing at Stamford Bridge, while he's consistently shown his immense passing range and creativity during his short stint at Benfica so far.

Three goals and five assists for Benfica this season only begins to paint the full picture, with Fernandez instrumental to their style of play under Roger Schmidt. Fernandez currently features in a double pivot alongside Florentino Luis, which gives him the freedom to advance into attacking areas to influence proceedings in the final-third, while also having the defensive responsibility of winning duels in the middle of the park.

Fernandez helped Benfica top their Champions League group, ahead of Paris Saint-Germain, and is a major reason why they are leading the way in the Portuguese top flight.

He may have only arrived in Europe for less than €15m last summer, but Fernandez is worth whatever fee Chelsea end up paying, because they desperately need a midfielder of his profile - it will solve most of their problems.

His passing range will ensure there isn't a drop-off in that department despite losing Jorginho, his final-third creativity should improve chance creation for the forwards, and his aggression and mobility should help Chelsea start to win midfield battles, which will in turn lessen the load on Thiago Silva and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Fernandez will cost Chelsea a huge sum of money, but they need him, and they need him now.