Enzo Fernandez completed a deadline-day transfer from Benfica to Chelsea, but his antics in Lisbon infuriated his previous team, who claimed he no longer desired to play for them.
Enzo Fernandez’s conduct before his deadline-day transfer to Chelsea has come under fire from Benfica Chief Rui Costa.
The Blues and Todd Boehly continued their recent habit of lavish spending by forking over more than £100 million to obtain the midfielder’s services. The Argentine, who had a breakout World Cup last year, was the subject of the British record deal.
Benfica, who paid little over £10 million to get Fernandez in the summer, made a substantial profit as a result. The Argentine allegedly refused to stay in Lisbon until the summer as he made his feelings known, but Rui Costa took issue with the manner the Argentine behaved before negotiating the move.
At a press conference on Thursday, Costa stated: “The goal of Enzo Fernandez was not to remain at Benfica. He gave us no chance at all. I tried my hardest, and while I’m unhappy, I won’t cry for a player who declined to stay. In reality, it was impossible to convince him otherwise once Chelsea came.
“We discovered a deal to sell Enzo to Chelsea in the summer on deadline day, but he didn’t want to stay. Enzo’s persistence was tireless from the time he realized Chelsea would pay the value of the clause. Despite our best efforts, the athlete did not appear interested in staying at Benfica.
“I presented Chelsea a deal to let him stay until the summer, but the player refused to stay at Benfica, and this is when everything changed. He can’t play for Benfica longer, no way, I declared at that point. Players that don’t want to wear our shirt don’t make me cry.