When will Enzo Fernandez make his Chelsea debut?

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 3 Feb 2023 10:59 GMT
• 3 min read

After weeks of speculation and discussion, Enzo Fernandez is finally a Chelsea player.

The 2022 World Cup winner was heavily linked with a transfer to Stamford Bridge throughout the entirety of the January window, and after talks stalled due to Chelsea's transfer stance, the Blues made a U-turn and decided to pay €121 million to secure his services.

The deal was completed in the early hours of Wednesday morning after Chelsea had submitted the deal sheet before the 11pm deadline on January 31, before the club officially announced it on February 1.

READ: Chelsea could have paid 'substantially' less for Enzo Fernandez, Benfica admit

Fernandez is now the all-time record British transfer, eclipsing the fee Manchester City paid Aston Villa to sign Jack Grealish in 2021. The 22-year-old is also the most expensive central midfielder in the history of the sport.

When will Fernandez make his Chelsea debut?

The Argentine midfielder is in line to make his Chelsea debut against Fulham on Friday 3 February on one condition - the Blues have his work permit signed by 4pm.

That is according to TyCSports, who have reported that he will start the game if Graham Potter's side are able to have his work permit signed by mid-afternoon.

READ: Chelsea's record-breaking spending won't continue, claims Potter

Chelsea, of course, sold Italian international Jorginho to London rivals Arsenal during the January window, with the Blues keen to recoup some transfer fee for a player whose contract was set to expire in the summer.

Furthermore, N'Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic remain injured, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek has only just returned to full fitness. As a result, Chelsea need Fernandez to start the game, despite the fact he only arrived in London days ago.

Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Carney Chukweumeka and Lewis Hall could start alongside Fernandez at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea face Fulham for the second time in quick succession and will hope for a better result than at Craven Cottage, when Joao Felix was sent off on his first Chelsea appearance.