Argentina and Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez is quickly becoming one of Europe's most sought after players, with Chelsea said to be amongst those interested. The midfielder has had breakthrough performances on the international stage at the World Cup as well as impressive form at club level, particularly in the Champions League.
The 21-year-old headed to Qatar having scored three goals and provided five assists in 24 appearances across all competitions for Benfica this season. The Portuguese side topped their Champions League group ahead of the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, and will face Club Brugge in the round of 16.
Fernandez's performances for club hadn't gone unnoticed by Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni either, with the deep-lying midfielder included in Argentina's World Cup squad despite making his senior debut as recently as September.
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So far, Scaloni's decision has paid off with Argentina able to shake off a shock 2-1 opening defeat to Saudi Arabia to finish top of Group C. Fernandez netted his first international goal in a 2-0 victory over Mexico as well as providing an assist in the 2-0 win over Poland.
Having been brought on as a substitute in Argentina's opening two matches, the 21-year-old was rewarded for his displays from the bench with a start against Poland and could be in contention to start when his side face Australia in the round of 16 later.
More strong displays from the Argentinian in Qatar will certainly boost his stock with Chelsea amongst those reportedly interested in making a move for the Benfica star with numerous members of Europe's elite monitoring the midfielder.
However, according to Portuguese outlet Record, via Sport Witness, the youngster has a €120million (£102.8million) release clause having only joined from River Plate in the summer and will only leave Benfica in January should a club meet that figure.
But why all the fuss? From a Chelsea perspective, recruiting a defensive-minded midfielder who is still very much in his early 20s certainly makes sense. It's no secret that Graham Potter will likely need a complete overhaul in the middle of the pitch next summer with both Jorginho and N'Golo Kante's contracts set to expire whilst loanee Denis Zakaria will return to Juventus if the Blues do not decide to sign the Switzerland international permanently.
Moreover, the contracts of Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Mateo Kovacic are all set to run out in the summer of 2024, meaning that extensions will have to be signed or replacements will have to be found. At 21, Fernandez would certainly fit the bill as a long-term replacement for any of the potential departures.
A deep-lying midfielder, the Benfica starlet prides himself on his ability to break the lines with his long-range passing a particularly strong trait whilst also being an intelligent student of the game, reading play well in order to make crucial blocks and interceptions to tidy things up ahead of the back line.
Albeit for a tall fee, purchasing Fernandez would certainly make sense for Chelsea who are in need of a midfield refresh, especially as it seems to be a matter of when instead of if the Argentinian ends up at one of Europe's elite clubs.
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