In what might be interpreted as bad news for Chelsea, Enzo Fernández, their main transfer target in this window, scored for Benfica in their Portuguese Cup win over Varzim on Tuesday night. By way of celebration, the Argentinian midfielder engaged in some performative “I’m staying here” nonsense, ostentatiously thumping the badge on his chest, before pointing to himself and then the Portuguese ground beneath his feet. “I can say that I expect Enzo Fernández to stay,” said his manager, Roger Schmidt. “I never doubted Enzo, his attitude and personality. He’s a great person, he’s at Benfica, he loves playing for Benfica.” Expect him to be unveiled at Stamford Bridge within the fortnight.
In more positive news for the Premier League’s crisis club du jour, João Félix is reported to be in London to jog on a treadmill and cough for the doctors before the completion of his loan from Atlético Madrid. There are also whispers that Mauricio Pochettino is “waiting in the wings” to take over if Todd Boehly runs out of patience with Graham Potter and decides to sack him.
