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    Schmidt on Chelsea target Fernandez: ´I don´t know if it was his last game for Benfica´

    Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt is unsure if Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Braga was Enzo Fernandez’s last, amid reports that he has agreed to join Chelsea.

    Fernández played for Argentina during their triumphant World Cup campaign, sparking rumors of a move during the January transfer window.

    The 21-year-old, who joined Benfica from River Plate last year, was rewarded for his efforts with the title of best young player of the tournament.

    Reports on Friday claimed that Fernandes had already agreed to join the Blues and the ball was now in Benfica’s side as to whether they would accept the offer.

    “I don’t know if this was his last game for Benfica,” Schmidt told reporters. “He is a great player, he plays fantastic, he identifies with the club.

    “Sometimes things happen and players have to make decisions. Let’s see what happens in the coming weeks.”

    Schmidt opted to launch Fernandez alongside Nicolás Otamendi in Friday’s game despite their short break from their World Cup triumph.

    “Nico and Enzo were good today,” he added. “They were at a normal level. Like I said before the game, they came with the rhythm, they always played.

    “Others were at the World Cup, didn’t play, didn’t train much. They need time to get back to their best form. All in all, we weren’t good enough. You cannot change.”

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