Enzo Fernández’s time at Benfica was a brief one. He joined the club in the summer of 2022, during Roger Schmidt’s first season, and left for Chelsea just a few months later. The blues paid a whopping 121 million euros for his services.
Before making the move to Benfica, Fernández reveals he was close to signing with a Brazilian club. “I was about to join Flamengo,” he said in an interview. But the chance to play in the UEFA Champions League was too good to pass up.
Fernández also spoke highly of his teammates, giving a special mention to Otamendi and Cristian Romero. “Romero gives me confidence,” he said, praising the Tottenham defender and his Argentine teammate.
Dealing with pressure
As a World Cup winner, Fernández knows a thing or two about pressure. But he says he’s learned to deal with the weight of his transfer fee. “At first, it was tough,” he admitted. “I wanted to perform at my best, but I didn’t quite live up to expectations. However, I knew it was a chance to grow and learn.”
Fernández credits his mental preparation for his growth as a player. “My first year with Pochettino was physically demanding,” he said. “I had to do extra training, but it paid off in the end. I’m in a good place physically and mentally. Having a psychologist has made a big difference for me.”
- Fernández joined Benfica in the summer of 2022
- He left for Chelsea a few months later for 121 million euros
- He was close to signing with Flamengo before joining Benfica
- Fernández praises Otamendi and Cristian Romero as teammates
- He credits mental preparation for his growth as a player
