We need players who are happy to play for Benfica – Roger Schmidt reacts to sale of Enzo Fernandez

Roger Schmidt, coach of Portuguese football club, Benfica, has given a “bitter” reaction to the sale of Argentine midfielder, Enzo Fernandez, to Chelsea for a record fee of £106.8 million ($131.6m).

The 21-year-old World Cup winner and Qatar 2022’s Young Player of the Tournament moved to Chelsea on Tuesday, January 31, the transfer deadline day, even after Schmidt continuously said he would stay at the club.

Speaking to reporters after his side’s 3-0 league win at Arouca on Tuesday, the Benfica coach stated that they only need players who are happy to play for the club.

He said;

“To lose a good player in the winter transfer window is always difficult. But we also showed today that we are capable of playing good football without him, that the players are focused to get a lot of points, to become champions. That’s our goal.

“Benfica is much bigger than one single player. We need players who are happy to play for Benfica, who are passionate. If some player decides to leave and a club [are willing to] pay the clause, then we cannot do anything. We accept [it] and look forward.”