Chelsea Enzo Fernandez task clear as Graham Potter hides inner fury after Thomas Tuchel chants |

Chelsea have been linked with Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandes in the January transfer window but there is twist in the potentials of landing the Argentine International this month after the Premier League outfit shifting from their initial intentions of buying Fernandes in a release clause deal now to negotiation transfer which doesn’t match Benfica’s interest.

Despite the twist, Chelsea are still confident of settling the difference with the Portuguese side to lure the World Cup winner to Stamford Bridge. But at the time being, they have been crushed out of the FA Cup after being thrashed 4-0 at Manchester City on Sunday evening.

Thanks to Riyad Mahrez, Phil Foden and Julian Alvarez that send City through setting up a potential fourth round clash against Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Graham Potter started with a midfield three at the Etihad Stadium, with Conor Gallagher, Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic all being chosen in Manchester. However, rather unsurprisingly against a trio of Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva and Rodri, they were dominated throughout the game.

Only when Denis Zakaria came on for the second-half did Chelsea look even half-competent in the middle of the pitch. Chelsea are interested in signing a world-class central midfielder this month but the deal to sign Enzo Fernandez has seemingly reached an impasse.

The 21-year-old wants the move to Stamford Bridge – that’s been the case from the start of the club’s interest. However, Chelsea are not willing to pay Fernandez’s big-money fee all in one instalment – something Benfica say is a necessity.

If the Blues are completely unwilling to meet Benfica’s demands, then it looks like the Argentine is going to remain in Portugal. If that is the case, then Chelsea will need to turn their attention elsewhere and they will need to do it quickly otherwise they could lose out in this market for dwelling on a lost cause in Fernandez for too long.