Former Benfica defender Álex Grimaldo has reflected candidly on how the mid-season departure of Enzo Fernández to Chelsea in January 2023 disrupted the Portuguese club’s balance and momentum — particularly in European competition.
Speaking in a recent interview with Spanish outlet Relevo, Grimaldo admitted that Enzo’s move to Stamford Bridge for a reported €120 million fee was a turning point in Benfica’s campaign, describing the Argentine midfielder as the team’s “organising force.”
“Enzo left in January and that killed us,” Grimaldo said. “Everything in the team went through him — he organised everything. His departure didn’t hurt us too much in the league, but in the Champions League, which was already a step up, he was a differential player.”
Fernández, who joined Benfica from River Plate in 2022, quickly became a central figure under coach Roger Schmidt. His performances — particularly in the group stages of the Champions League — earned him global recognition and ultimately paved the way for a record-breaking Premier League transfer.
Grimaldo, who now plays for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, emphasised that the team never truly replaced Enzo’s unique influence. “In the league we still had a great team, but in Europe his presence was vital. In the end, it’s football. I think they paid around €120m — what are you going to do?” he added with a laugh.
Benfica went on to win the 2022–23 Primeira Liga title, but their European form faltered following Enzo’s exit, as they were eliminated by Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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For Grimaldo, the experience underscored how even the most balanced squads can be shaken by a single key departure. “We adapted as best we could,” he said, “but Enzo’s understanding of the game, his energy, and the way he connected defence with attack — that was something special.”
Enzo Fernández has since become a regular starter for Chelsea and remains an integral part of Argentina’s national team setup. Meanwhile, Grimaldo continues to impress in Germany, helping Leverkusen to one of their strongest seasons in recent history.