Benfica president Rui Costa has blasted Enzo Fernandez after his departure for Chelsea.
Costa says they tried everything to keep hold of the midfielder before accepting €120m for his sale.
The president told BTV: “Everything possible was done so that this sale did not take place. I am sad that he has left, but with a clear conscience for having done the best for Benfica. We try not to sell until the middle of the year. But he showed his desire not to stay. From the beginning we feared that someone would bring the value of the clause. Every time Chelsea came close to him, he showed that he did not want to stay. The salary increase was discussed, the offer was made. Half of the Chelsea proposal was unfeasible for us.
“We could never convince him. Every time Chelsea got close to the value of the clause, there was practically no chance of changing his mind. He was very incisive when saying that he wanted to leave Benfica. He was adamant. But I respect his decision. We showed him all the possibilities, but he was never open to continue. We devised a solution so that he could stay until June without losing a penny. But there was no case.
“On the 31st, at lunchtime, I put on the table the proposal that Chelsea buy him now and take him away in June. Even so, he was negative to stay. Here things changed resoundingly.
“I respect the fear of losing a big contract, another is that he doesn't lose a euro and doesn't want to stay. And this is where everything changed. He did not show any commitment to Benfica. He could no longer play for Benfica. As a fan I no longer wanted this player, as a manager it was not a solution either. He couldn't get into the locker room. It's not chest-beating when it matters. That's when I made the decision to sell him.
“Everyone treated Enzo well from the time he arrived until he left. We hoped that it would give him pleasure to fight for the title. When it became very clear that he was not committed, I didn't want him to wear the Benfica shirt again. We want a team committed to the fans. Although the players knew what was happening, in Arouca they gave it their all. That is the commitment I want in all areas.
“We have lost a great player, yes. But we are not going to cry for a player who does not want to be at Benfica. Our path is forward, not backward. I grew up in this club, which taught me to honor the Benfica shirt. I respect Enzo, but his choice was not to stay. We only want players who want to respect Benfica. Only the players who feel proud to represent the shirt will be here."
