The Benfica coach and Enzo Fernández’s future: “Until 31 December we are sure”

German Roger Schmidt, coach of Benfica from Portugal, admitted this Thursday that with “very talented players”like the Argentine Enzo Fernándezone of the great figures of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, there is always “the risk” of losing them in a transfer market.

“Until December 31st we are certain that we have all the players and no one can leave. Then the market opens up and with very talented players we always run the risk of losing them.”

In anticipation of Friday’s match against Braga, as guests, for the Portuguese championship, the Benfica coach highlighted, in the press conference, the attitude of Fernández and also of Nicolás Otamendi who are already available after winning the World Cup with the Argentine national team.

“It’s difficult for players to come back from a World Cup and be ready for domestic competition, but both Otamendi and Enzo have shown a great attitude,” said the German.

“They arrived with flair and in good shape. They have already trained with the team and are very motivated,” added Schmidt.

“We are proud of what they did with Argentina and the way they played,” he noted.

Schmidt, however, clarified that he will not grant special permission to Argentines who intend to travel to Argentina to spend the New Year’s Eve party and return before the next match which will be on Friday 6 January.

“We are a professional football club and the rules apply to all players. It is important that they rest between games and there will be no exceptions,” he said.

With fourteen matches played, Benfica are the unbeaten leader of the Portuguese league with 37 points, five ahead of Porto.

Source: agencies