Football News: Chelsea 'activate Enzo Fernandez contract extension'

Chelsea have reportedly exercised an extension provision in midfielder Enzo Fernandez's contract. In January, the West Londoners paid a British transfer record fee of £106.8 million to bring the 22-year-old midfielder.

Fernandez had only been at Benfica for six months after joining from River Plate for £12 million last summer, but he chose to make the big-money move to Chelsea and signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract.

Less than four months into his Chelsea tenure journalist Cesar Luis Merlo claims the Blues have extended Enzo's current deal. 'The contract is said to be extended by an additional 12 months until the summer of 2032.

Fernandez now holds the longest-running contract at Stamford Bridge, just ahead of Mykhaylo Mudryk, whose deal runs until 2031.Fernandez has swiftly established himself as a first-team regular at Chelsea, starting all 13 games across all competitions.

Prior to his January transfer, Fernandez was one of Argentina's breakout stars at the 2022 World Cup, winning the Young Player of the Tournament in Qatar.

Enzo has made an immediate impact under interim manager Frank Lampard, who has praised the midfielder's leadership qualities.

"Chelsea brought in some younger players throughout this season. We had to give them a chance at developing into the leaders we want them to be,"

Lampard told reporters, as quoted by GOAL, after the 2-0 Champions League defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

"Enzo is becoming a leader, but he's 22, I think it's quite difficult for us to talk about that, he'll have to find his way."

"Games like tonight are a great chance to perform and show the personality that makes you a proper leader."

In response to Lampard's praise, Fernandez added:

"I always dream to be a leader because when I started, I always wanted to be an example.

"To be defined like that so young makes me really proud. I always give my best and try to be an example for everyone."

Fernandez's immediate impact at Stamford Bridge is proving to be one of the few bright spots in Chelsea's season so far, with the West Londoners currently languishing in 11th place in the Premier League table, 17 points behind the top four and seven points behind the top seven.

Meanwhile, Chelsea confirmed earlier this week that left-back Ben Chilwell has agreed to new terms on a new contract, and discussions over a new deal for midfielder N'Golo Kante, who is out of contract in June, are said to be ongoing.

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