Chelsea’s highly anticipated acquisition, Enzo Fernandez, could be set to make his debut for the club in Friday’s fixture against Fulham. The 22-year-old was secured in a £106.8 million transfer from Benfica on Deadline Day, penning an eight-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him in west London until 2031. Fernandez will don the number five shirt, becoming Chelsea’s eighth and final acquisition in a busy January window that saw the club’s spending surpass £300 million.

Fernandez expressed his gratitude to Chelsea for making him a part of the club’s project, saying, “I’m happy and excited to join the Pride of London, to play in the best league in the world and to compete for the biggest trophies. I can’t wait to play in front of our fans and help my teammates on and off the pitch.”

Chelsea manager Graham Potter expressed his relief at securing the Argentine international, stating, “I’m very pleased because we’ve got a fantastic player and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

While Fernandez is eager to make his debut, Potter confirmed that paperwork remains to be completed and that the player is yet to receive his work permit. When asked if Fernandez will be involved in Friday’s match, Potter responded, “We’ll see. We’ve got to go through the paperwork and he needs to get clearance.” Despite the language barrier, Potter described Fernandez as an “impressive young man” and expressed his excitement to work with him.