Frank Lampard remained coy when he was asked to confirm whether or not Enzo Fernandez has signed a contract extension. The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in January after impressing for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.
Chelsea higher-ups held extensive talks with Benfica on deadline day in order to sign the midfielder. The Blues agreed to pay the Portuguese giants £106.7million in six instalments, with the first of which is thought to be in the region of £30m.
Fernandez signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge, making him the most expensive player in Premier League history. The Argentine was just one of several players which the club tied down with a long-term deal after Todd Boehly found a loophole in the Financial Fair Play regulations.
READ MORE: Arsenal legend Thierry Henry pinpoints Joao Felix problem in Real Madrid vs Chelsea
Chelsea were able to save millions and avoid breaching rules thanks to amortisation. FIFA states that players' contracts should be a maximum of five-years unless the laws in said country say otherwise – in the United Kingdom, there is no restriction or limit.
With no specific rules in place, UEFA couldn't prevent the Blues from using amortisation on the players they have already signed. But, from the summer onwards, it's said that a new policy will be in place which prevents Boehly from pulling the same levers.
After the controversy which followed the arrivals of Mykhailo Mudryk and Fernandez, it looked as if Chelsea wouldn't dish out anymore lengthy contracts. However, that does not appear to be the case.
The Blues reportedly included an option to extend the Argentine's deal by a further year, which, according to reliable TyC Sports journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, they have now triggered. Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the west Londoners' clash with Brighton, Lampard was quizzed on the matter.
Without official confirmation from the club, he remained coy. Lampard said: "I can't confirm because I don't know. I've enough on my plate. From working with Enzo, he has been a standout player and attitude. He's a fantastic player for this club going forward and exactly the type of profile you should aim for."
READ NEXT:
Frank Lampard could make eight Chelsea changes vs Brighton ahead of Real Madrid second-leg
What Frank Lampard can learn from Graham Potter vs Real Madrid as Liverpool set for Chelsea raid
Real Madrid prepare fresh Reece James bid as Chelsea face Financial Fair Play uncertainty
Real Madrid showed Chelsea have already lost the player Frank Lampard needs to fix key problem
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, views and rumours from Stamford Bridge
