The Blues failed with a bid to signal Fernandez after trying to barter the participant’s £105million launch clause.
Through the talks, the 21-year-old absconded to Argentina for New 12 months’s Eve and was fined by Benfica for lacking coaching amid rumours that he needed to maneuver to Chelsea.
Schmidt lately admitted that he’s having to “start from zero” with World Cup winner Fernandez however insisted on Monday that the case for any January departure is now completed.
“As I said last week, the question is closed,” he instructed reporters.
“He’s a player of ours, he’s happy. He’s part of the team and he’s a key player.”
When pressed on the matter, Schmidt acknowledged: “The situation is closed, I said that right at the beginning.”
After returning to coaching, Fernandez is anticipated to make his first Benfica look of the calendar yr in opposition to lower-league Varzim within the Taca de Portugal on Tuesday.
