Schmidt: I don't know if it was Fernandez's last game for Benfica
Benfica manager Roger Schmidt admits he is not sure if the game against Braga was Enzo Fernandez's last for the club.
Reports in England suggest that
Chelseais willing to pay
Enzo Fernandez's £105 million release clause and the 21-year-old midfielder already has accepted their offer. He joined
Benficafor just €10 million last summer.
After Fernandez impressed for Argentina in the World Cup, he has been linked with Europe’s big clubs including Liverpool and Manchester United. Fernandez was voted the best young player of Qatar 2022.
After a 3-0 loss against Braga on Friday, Roger Schmidt did not rule out the possibility of Fernandez's departure in January.
"I don't know if it was his last game for Benfica,"
Schmidt told reporters.
"He's an excellent player, he's been performing fantastically, he's identified with the club.
"Sometimes things happen and players have to make decisions. We'll see what happens in the coming weeks."
Benfica’s Argentinian players Fernandez and Nicolas Otamendi both started in Friday's game just 12 days after the World Cup final.
"Nico and Enzo were good today,"
he added.
"They were at their normal level. As I said before the game, they came with rhythm, they were always playing.
"Others were at the World Cup, didn't play, didn't train much. They need some time to get back to their best form. Overall we weren't good enough. You can't change."
Benfica is five points clear at top of Liga Portugal and will face Club Brugge in the Champions League last 16 round in February.
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