Chelsea boss Graham Potter responds quickly to Enzo Fernandez's 'Benfica Row' question
Chelsea boss Graham Potter has said he is not getting involved in the disagreements via the media after Benfica boss Roger Schmidt let slip the Blues' attempts to sign Enzo Fernandez. The German tactician has taken offense to Chelsea's approach to negotiations after the Blues tried to land the World Cup winner for less than his £105m release clause.
Schmidt made his feelings clear in a heated press conference on Thursday, saying: "There's a club that wants him, they tried to get him, but they know they can't get him. only if they pay the clause.
"It's disrespectful to all of us, to Benfica, they drive the player crazy, they pretend to want to pay the clause and then they want to negotiate."
Speaking after the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City, Potter made it clear he had no interest in public bickering - distancing himself from the saga.
He said, "I don't participate in conversations via the media. I have nothing to say. No comment."
Chelsea looked set to make Fernandez one of the most expensive players in Premier League history.
However, it has now emerged that their opening offer did not exceed the player's release clause, as previously reported.
Instead, the Blues were trying to broker a cheaper deal after already agreeing terms with Fernandez on a long-term contract.
Now Chelsea could be forced back to the drawing board with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante yet to agree new contracts.
READ MORE: Shakhtar chief spotted yards from Todd Boehly as battle between Chelsea and Arsenal escalates
The Blues have also been linked with former Potter player Alexis Mac Allister, who played alongside Fernandez in midfield for Argentina in Qatar.
Brighton is unwilling to sell its World Cup winner, however, and will reject any offers that come to the table this month.
Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are three other names that have been closely linked with Chelsea in recent months.
Todd Boehly has already been incredibly busy this month as his Chelsea shopping spree continues.
New signing Benoit Badiashile, who has signed a huge long-term contract until 2030, sat alongside Boehly at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night to watch the loss to City.
Christopher Nkunku is also expected to arrive from RB Leipzig next summer while youngsters Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana also joined the Blues this month.
Chelsea are also openly exploring a move for Arsenal's main target Mykhaylo Mudryk after entering talks with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Shakhtar chief Darijo Srna was pictured in the director's box at Chelsea on Thursday night after holding talks with the Blues over a deal for the 22-year-old winger.
Chelsea boss Graham Potter has said he is not getting involved in the disagreements via the media after Benfica boss Roger Schmidt let slip the Blues' attempts to sign Enzo Fernandez. The German tactician has taken offense to Chelsea's approach to negotiations after the Blues tried to land the World Cup winner for less than his £105m release clause.
Schmidt made his feelings clear in a heated press conference on Thursday, saying: "There's a club that wants him, they tried to get him, but they know they can't get him. only if they pay the clause.
"It's disrespectful to all of us, to Benfica, they drive the player crazy, they pretend to want to pay the clause and then they want to negotiate."
Speaking after the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City, Potter made it clear he had no interest in public bickering - distancing himself from the saga.
He said, "I don't participate in conversations via the media. I have nothing to say. No comment."
Chelsea looked set to make Fernandez one of the most expensive players in Premier League history.
However, it has now emerged that their opening offer did not exceed the player's release clause, as previously reported.
Instead, the Blues were trying to broker a cheaper deal after already agreeing terms with Fernandez on a long-term contract.
Now Chelsea could be forced back to the drawing board with Jorginho and N'Golo Kante yet to agree new contracts.
READ MORE: Shakhtar chief spotted yards from Todd Boehly as battle between Chelsea and Arsenal escalates
The Blues have also been linked with former Potter player Alexis Mac Allister, who played alongside Fernandez in midfield for Argentina in Qatar.
Brighton is unwilling to sell its World Cup winner, however, and will reject any offers that come to the table this month.
Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo are three other names that have been closely linked with Chelsea in recent months.
Todd Boehly has already been incredibly busy this month as his Chelsea shopping spree continues.
New signing Benoit Badiashile, who has signed a huge long-term contract until 2030, sat alongside Boehly at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night to watch the loss to City.
Christopher Nkunku is also expected to arrive from RB Leipzig next summer while youngsters Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana also joined the Blues this month.
Chelsea are also openly exploring a move for Arsenal's main target Mykhaylo Mudryk after entering talks with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Shakhtar chief Darijo Srna was pictured in the director's box at Chelsea on Thursday night after holding talks with the Blues over a deal for the 22-year-old winger.
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