Why Chelsea have extended Enzo Fernandez's contract after 13 games

Chelsea have reportedly extended Enzo Fernandez’s contract despite the player only signing for the club in January.

During the winter transfer window, Chelsea decided to splash a record £106.8 million to lure Fernandez to Stamford Bridge from Benfica.

It is believed that the 22-year-old signed an eight-year deal that would see him stay at Chelsea until 2031.

According to TyC Sports journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, Chelsea have now decided to extend Fernandez’s deal for an extra year.

Many felt it was a strange decision to extend a contract so soon after signing a player but this move could prove a stroke of genius.

As a result of the extension, Chelsea are now in the position to amortise the cost to £11.25 million per year over the course of the deal Fernandez signed in January.

This small saving in payments could help Chelsea adhere to the strict Financial Fair Play regulations, due to the amortisation of the transfer fee being spread out across the length of a player’s contract.

Fernandez’s £106.8 million will now only cost Chelsea around £11.25 million per year plus wages.

Journalist David Ornstein has explained how Chelsea can register a profit with just one player sale.

He said on BBC’s Football Daily podcast: “If Chelsea were to sell a homegrown player for £40million for example, it’s immediate profit on the books as Chelsea haven’t paid a transfer fee for him.

“Mudryk for example is an outlay of £8 million on books. Chelsea could end this window in profit if a homegrown player was sold.”

Chelsea are heading into yet another busy transfer window in the summer as they look to balance the books.

It has been reported that as many as nine first-team players could be moved on, including the likes of Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus Cheek.

The Blues will be back in Premier League action this weekend as they take on Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.