What Lionel Messi Said About New Chelsea Signing Enzo Fernandez

• Enzo Fernandez is set to play an integral role at Chelsea for years to come
• The World Cup-winning midfielder became the most expensive player in Chelsea's history and by extension the Premier League
• He will sport the No.5 jersey at Stamford Bridge which was previously worn by Jorginho

Lionel Messi delivered a succinct verdict on Enzo Fernandez months before he completed his record-breaking transfer to Chelsea.

Fernandez, who has become the most expensive signing in Premier League history, was relatively unknown until he blossomed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

His superlative performance against Mexico at the Mundial caught the eye of Lionel Messi, who showered praise on the 22-year-old's work ethic.

“I'm not surprised by Enzo," Messi said as quoted by Sportskeeda.

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The Paris Saint-Germain superstar claimed that the former Benfica ace thoroughly deserved all the praise he got after the match.

“I know him, and I see him train every day. He deserves [the acclaim] because he's a spectacular player.”

Since Messi's verdict, Enzo has gone on to clinch the Best Young Player at the World Cup and chalked further history by becoming the most expensive signing in Premier League history following his £106 million move to Chelsea, per Football London.

Comparing Enzo to Chelsea players

Chelsea's intensive pursuit of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez has revived memories of how Manchester United desperately wanted to sign Frenkie De Jong.

The Blues refused to give up on the World Cup-winning midfielder and pursued all avenues to land him before the lapse of the transfer window. They finally got their man for a British record fee.

Fernandez betters every Chelsea midfielder in the total attempted shots and the non-penalty expected goals(xG).

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Where Enzo ranks among the most expensive transfers

New Chelsea signing Enzo Fernandez has already inked his name in the Premier League history books without kicking a ball, Sports Brief earlier reported.

The World Cup-winning midfielder sealed a sensational transfer move to Stamford Bridge on transfer deadline day, ending weeks of speculation that surrounded his future.

The fee involved in his transfer effectively made the Argentine international the most expensive signing in the history of the Premier League.