How Chelsea could line up with Enzo Fernandez as Jorginho set to lose place if record £106m transfer completed
CHELSEA have not given up on signing Enzo Fernandez before the January transfer window closes.
The Blues reopened talks with Benfica over the Argentine World Cup winner.
They have reportedly offered the Portuguese club the full £106million release clause paid in instalments or £88m up front plus a player.
However, a deal will need to get done quickly if Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is going to land the holding midfielder before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.
Should Fernandez arrive, though, it could spell bad news for Jorginho.
The 22-year-old would be a certain starter under Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge.
Should everyone be fully fit, Fernandez could line up alongside N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic in a three-man midfield.
That would then allow a devastating front three of Joao Felix, Kai Havertz and Mykhailo Mudryk.
At the back, No1 Kepa Arrizabalaga would be shielded by a back four of Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva and Ben Chilwell.
However, a completely different XI could see a 3-4-1-2 formation with Fernandez and Jorginho together in the middle of the park – although Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Denis Zakaria and Carney Chukwuemeka are also options.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Edouard Mendy could go in between the sticks with a back three of Trevoh Chalobah, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile.
Cesar Azpilicueta would be at right wing-back with either Lewis Hall or Marc Cucurella on the other side.
That may mean Mason Mount plays in the No10 role with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined by David Datro Fofana or Raheem Sterling in attack.
Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech as well as January additions Noni Madueke and Andrey Santos will all be battling for game time, too.