Chelsea, a British soccer club, has signed Enzo Fernandez, a 22-year-old midfielder from Benfica. Chelsea signed Fernandez for a British and Premier League record for 121 million euros (or $131 million). This expensive transfer has made Enzo Fernandez the most costly Argentine player in soccer history. 

Fernandez earned the name of Best Young Player of the World Cup for his excellent performance displayed in Qatar with the Argentina National soccer team. Fernandez was transferred from Benfica, a Portuguese soccer club that had previously signed him for 10 million euros. While playing with Benfica, Fernandez became a key player, especially in the midfield. According to Foot The Ball, Fernandez helped the team win all their matches except one in the 2023 season.

Chelsea had previously attempted to sign Fernandez; however, the release clause for a player was 120 million euros, according to Benfica. According to Bueno Aires Times, Tedd Boehly, the most recent owner of Chelsea, has transferred several players to his club in hopes of bringing it up from the tenth place in the Premier League. In the summer, Chelsea failed to transfer and sign Fernandez, but the club also thought to try again in the future, so they did.

Benfica’s head coach was not too pleased with the departure of one of his key players, especially mid-season. According to Buenos Aires Times, Roger Schmidt, the coach for Chelsea, told Sports TV, “The deal is done; it’s part of football, but what matters is Benfica. I’m not going to talk about players who are no longer there.” Schmidt said this after the loss of his match against Arouca.

Buenos Aires Times also mentions that Schmidt said, “Benfica is much bigger than any one player. We need players who are happily playing for the team. We can’t do anything if a player decides to leave and a club pays the clause.”

His choice of words can reflect the annoyance that he must feel, especially after a loss without Fernandez on the field.

Fernandez’s transfer consists of an eight-and-a-half-year deal that won’t end until 2031. Even though he has been the most expensive transfer in European soccer history, he will still have to prove himself to the team and all of Europe. Only time will tell whether or not Enzo Fernandez will make a significant difference for Chelsea and improve the club’s stats.

The Champion’s league is up and coming, so that may be a chance for Fernandez to stand out and show the world that the expensive transfer was worth it—not only for the club as a business move but also for his team’s standings.