The Brazilian media’s criticism of record acquisition Enzo Fernandez’s Champions League play has drawn ire from Chelsea star Thiago Silva. Brazilian media made fun of the £107 million acquisition for his part in the Blues’ 1-0 loss to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Fernandez has adjusted nicely to life at Chelsea and has performed admirably in his first two Premier League games. The World Cup winner, nevertheless, struggled against Dortmund.
Karim Adeyemi was able to effortlessly dribble by him before Kepa Arrizabalaga could stop him and score the game’s lone goal for Dortmund. And the Brazilian media enjoyed reading about the Argentine star’s problems.
“CALL THE UBER FI!” was posted on the Brazilian TNT Sport page. So far, Adeyemi has been sought after by Enzo Fernandez.
Silva, a seasoned defender, was not going to tolerate the dig. The Brazilian international left a critical comment on the post after being completely underwhelmed.
The publishing was attacked by Silva for “lack of respect.” Lack of respect, eh! he wrote. Take your work more seriously.
To eventually pry Fernandez, 21, away from Benfica on transfer deadline day, Chelsea paid a British record sum. Only six months earlier, the Portuguese powerhouses had acquired the midfielder from River Plate for £10 million.
Blues manager Graham Potter acknowledged it was a “gamble” to sign Fernandez despite the absurd price. He was a part of the obscene £350 million January blitz.
Potter acknowledged that every transfer involves a risk. “I can understand why someone would say that. It’s the same as anything else: he is still a young man entering our country.
“I have talked to him. We required a translation because neither my Spanish nor his English is excellent, but we will succeed.
You have to get used to the club. Nonetheless, we’ll support him in that, and given his personality, you won’t need to worry about him. But we do have a player with a very strong personality. He was a member of Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfield.
He possesses skills that would allow him to play in any league in the world. He performed admirably in the Champions League. He’s a fighter who also recognizes his good fortune. He is courageous, fearless, and open-minded. He wants to play football and get better.
In a Chelsea team that is having trouble, Fernandez has yet to be on the winning side. With Fernandez at the base of their midfield, the Blues have drew with Fulham and West Ham in the Premier League and are currently on a run of just one victory in nine games in all competitions.