Enzo Fernandez has thanked Todd Boehly and Chelsea for "doing everything they could" to get his £107million move over the line.
Fernandez, 22, has signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge after the Blues paid Benfica a British-record transfer fee. The Argentina international's fee has eclipsed Jack Grealish's £100m move from Aston Villa to Manchester City in August 2021.
The move went down to the wire with Fernandez undergoing a deadline day medical in Lisbon after a late breakthrough in talks before paperwork was submitted just in time. And he made reference to the lengths Chelsea went to in order to bring him to Stamford Bridge in his first words on the club website.
"I am grateful to Chelsea and its ownership for doing everything they could to make me a part of this project," Fernandez told Chelsea's website during his first interview since the move. Fernandez, who arrived on Wednesday to complete his move, also highlighted that his ambition is to instantly compete for the "biggest trophies" with the big-spending Blues.
"I’m happy and excited to join the Pride of London, to play in the best league in the world and to compete for the biggest trophies," he added. "I can’t wait to play in front of our fans and help my teammates on and off the pitch."
Graham Potter's side will need to improve quickly if they are to keep up with Fernandez's ambitions. Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League - 10 points behind Manchester United in fourth - and have already been knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this term.
The Champions League is Fernandez's only hope of winning a trophy at Chelsea this season, as they face Borussia Dortmund in the last 16 later this month. Boehly will need to build a competitive squad to give Fernandez the chance to be successful in London.
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Fernandez has enjoyed a remarkable rise since he joined Benfica from Argentinian side River Plate for just £10m last June. He captured Chelsea's attention after helping Argentina win the recent World Cup in Qatar - earning the Young Player Award for his efforts.
Chelsea tried to sign Fernandez on the cheap, but Benfica were unwilling to shift from his eye-watering release clause. The Blues eventually agreed to stump up the cash on deadline day and will be hoping Fernandez is worth every penny.
Chelsea's chair Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said: "In Enzo we are signing a World Cup-winner and one of the brightest talents in global football.
"We are excited to add him to Graham’s squad and we are sure he will form an important part of our team going forward. Enzo has demonstrated his ability at the very highest levels so we’re looking forward to seeing what he will do in Chelsea blue!"
Fernandez will wear the No.5 shirt at Chelsea after it was vacated by Jorginho, who joined Premier League leaders Arsenal on deadline day. He is eligible to make his debut in Chelsea's Premier League clash against Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Several top European clubs - including Liverpool - were interested in signing Fernandez before his move to Chelsea. "I see him [Fernandez] in training ever day... he's a spectacular player," said Lionel Messi after Argentina's World Cup triumph in December.
