Popular Leagues

Other Leagues

Chelsea plan renewed push to sign Enzo Fernández from Benfica

Chelsea are planning a fresh move for Enzo Fernández after previously failing to agree a deal for the Benfica midfielder.
Frenkie Tran
By: Frenkie Tran

Chelsea intends to make another effort to recruit Benfica's Enzo Fernández

Chelsea are planning a fresh move for Enzo Fernández after previously failing to agree a deal for the Benfica midfielder. His contract contains a £106m release clause and Benfica remain reluctant to sell the Argentina international for a lower fee. Chelsea tried to pay less during negotiations at the start of the window and ended up switching focus to other targets.

Graham Potter wants midfield reinforcements and Chelsea, who are spending heavily under their latest ownership, had a £55m bid for Brighton’s Moisés Caicedo rejected last week. An improved offer for Ecuador international remains a possibility, with Brighton scouring the market for potential replacements for the 21-year-old.

However, Fernández, who played a key role in Argentina winning the World Cup last month, remains an option for Chelsea. Sources have indicated talks are due to resume this week. Benfica, who are in the last 16 of the Champions League, want to keep Fernández, who has repeatedly told them that he wants to join Chelsea, until the end of the season.


Chelsea intends to make another effort to recruit Benfica's Enzo Fernández

Chelsea have other midfielders in their sights, including Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister. They have spent about £460m on 15 players since being bought by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

Chelsea are crying out for fresh legs in central midfield. Jorginho could leave for free this summer, and although N’Golo Kanté is expected to extend his deal before it expires at the end of the season, the Frenchman has been out with a hamstring injury since August.

Chelsea is also expected to challenge for Declan Rice in the summer but Arsenal are emerging as favorites to sign the West Ham captain. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are seen as likelier destinations for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.

Boehly and Clearlake have been highly active in the transfer market. This month they have made the permanent additions of Andrey Santos, Benoît Badiashile, Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke and the loan signing of João Félix.

Potter has warned that Chelsea’s squad must not become bloated. Sales of fringe players would be welcome. Everton are one of the clubs interested in the Morocco winger Hakim Ziyech. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been linked with a swift return to Barcelona.

Chelsea are also in the market for a right-back to provide cover for Reece James, who is close to returning from a knee injury. A bid for the 19-year-old Lyon defender Malo Gusto has been rejected by the French club, who do not want to sell.

Blues considering sending their 19-year-old on loan to the Championship

Chelsea are reportedly considering sending their young talent Omari Hutchinson out on loan this month. According to the Evening Standard, the Blues are weighing up potential loan moves for some of their rising stars. The report names Hutchinson, 19, as an individual that is being considered for a loan in January. Gabriel Slonina and Cesare Casadei are mentioned, too. It is explained that a move to the Championship would be the preferred destination for the aforementioned trio.

Hutchinson has played the first two games of his senior career this month, with both of them coming against Manchester City. Graham Potter has used Chelsea talent in Premier League and FA Cup fixtures. According to the Evening Standard, Potter has been ‘hugely impressed’ by the teenage attacker in training as well.


Blues considering sending their 19-year-old on loan to the Championship

The left-footed forward made the short move across London last summer by joining Chelsea from Arsenal, which has led to a first-team debut. However, it feels like the youngster still has somehow to go before he establishes himself as a regular in Potter’s main group.

In our view, Hutchison should definitely be excited about the prospect of a loan spell during the second half of the season. The 19-year-old has so many players ahead of him in the pecking order at Chelsea, so a taste of senior action in the second division could be great for his development.

He’s definitely still a tad raw and a bit lightweight for the Blues first team, which is totally normal for someone his age. If he gets half a season playing regularly in the Championship, Hutchinson should be a lot more equipped going into pre-season for next year.

Click star to rate
5 (2 rating)
Frenkie Tran
Written by: Frenkie Tran
My football predictions cover a variety of competitions and tournaments. In addition to English and European football, football predictions also include tips on games taking place in the USA, Australia, Africa, South America and beyond, from famous leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga to popular national leagues such as Croatian First League and Portugal Primeira.

Related Content

Pochettino Opens Up: Some Chelsea Players 'Couldn't Sleep' Prior to Carabao Cup Final Defeat
Pochettino Opens Up: Some Chelsea Players 'Couldn't Sleep' Prior to Carabao Cup Final Defeat
Pochettino acknowledged that his team faced difficulties coping with the pressure of the final last month. Looking ahead, Chelsea is set to face Leicester in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup this weekend.
Virgil van Dijk Offers Apology for Brief Outburst Following Liverpool's Win Over Chelsea
Virgil van Dijk Offers Apology for Brief Outburst Following Liverpool's Win Over Chelsea
Virgil van Dijk has shared his thoughts on the video he posted on social media following Liverpool's victory over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final. In the video, he seemed to jest at his critics.
Chelsea vs Leicester Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 03/17/2024
Chelsea vs Leicester Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips 03/17/2024
[England FA Cup Prediction] Who will reign supreme in the Chelsea vs Leicester showdown? Our prediction analysts provide betting tips and current odds for this highly anticipated match.
Chelsea Sets Sights on Lille Defender Leny Yoro as Potential Thiago Silva Replacement
Chelsea Sets Sights on Lille Defender Leny Yoro as Potential Thiago Silva Replacement
Blues find themselves in a fierce competition with PSG and Real Madrid for the talented France Under-21 international.
Chelsea's Potential Mega-Money Windfall Revealed if Bayern Munich Sells Jamal Musiala
Chelsea's Potential Mega-Money Windfall Revealed if Bayern Munich Sells Jamal Musiala
There are rumors circulating that 21-year-old Jamal Musiala is the subject of an £80 million transfer move from Bayern Munich this summer. Sources close to Betimate have indicated that Chelsea has included a sell-on fee of 20 percent in the potential deal.