Benfica requested Chelsea to include Mateo Kovacic in the Enzo Fernandez deal

According to Portuguese outlet Record (h/t Metro), Benfica requested Chelsea to include Mateo Kovacic in the Enzo Fernandez deal.

But, the salary of the Croatia international made it impossible for the Portuguese side to sign him in favour of letting Fernandez go.

On the other hand, amidst the attempts by Benfica to keep Fernandez, the Argentina international threatened the club to release a social post blaming the hierarchy for preventing his move to Chelsea.

Benfica requested Chelsea to include Mateo Kovacic in the Enzo Fernandez deal. — Benfica wanted to sign Mateo Kovacic in favour of selling Enzo Fernandez. (Photo by BARBARA GINDL/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

Let’s just say that a lot of bridges have been burnt for this deal to happen. It must have been disappointing for Benfica to not get Kovacic because they had no time to find other replacements due to the timing of the Fernandez deal.

For Chelsea though, it is good that we have the Croatian in the squad after having added the Argentine to it. The duo can form an excellent partnership in midfield which could go a long way in deciding how we finish this season.

Kovacic has been one of our key midfield players in the past couple of years. His drive, energy, quality on the ball and defensive work is something not many have in the current squad.

Although injuries have not helped him play games consistently, the 28-year-old has always been good when on the field. With Jorginho gone and N’Golo Kante still not back from injury, it is important that the 2018 World Cup finalist recovers from his niggle sooner rather than later.

Kovacic’s contract at Stamford Bridge expires in the summer of 2024 (Transfermarkt). So, he will be in the final 12 months of his time here at the end of this season.

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Seeing how important he is to the team, Chelsea must offer him a new deal and tie his future to the coming years.