Best in the World!”—Benfica Boss Bruno Lage Names Two Chelsea Stars Who Are on Another Level

**Benfica Manager Bruno Lage Commends Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez Before Club World Cup Showdown**

As Chelsea get ready to go up against Benfica in the FIFA Club World Cup Round of 16, Portuguese boss Bruno Lage has offered strong praise for two Chelsea players—Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez—describing them as some of the top talents globally in their roles.

**Bruno Lage: “Pedro Neto Is One of the Best Wingers in the World”**

Lage, who formerly coached Pedro Neto at Wolves and now manages Benfica, spoke highly of the Chelsea attacker during his pre-match media appearance.

**“The player I really know is Pedro Neto. He’s one of the best wingers in the world. He’s so dangerous because he can go either way on the ball,”** Lage shared with *Metro*.

Since completing a £54 million move from Wolves to Chelsea, Neto has quickly become a pivotal attacking force under Enzo Maresca. Known for his explosive speed, sharp dribbling, and creative edge, the 24-year-old has emerged as one of Chelsea’s biggest threats in the final third.

**Enzo Fernandez Gaining Global Acclaim**

Even though Lage has never coached Enzo Fernandez, the Benfica head still expressed strong appreciation for the Argentine midfielder—especially as Fernandez once starred for Benfica before his headline-making move to Chelsea.

**“There was actually a rumour before Enzo came to Chelsea that he was going to join me at Wolves, so that was funny… But in terms of money and quality, Chelsea have one of the best midfielders in the world.”**

Fernandez made the switch to Chelsea for £106.8 million in January 2023—a fee that broke the British transfer record at the time. His presence at Stamford Bridge continues to grow, particularly under Enzo Maresca’s management.

**Enzo Maresca: “Enzo Is Now Playing Fantastic Football”**

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca also had positive remarks about Fernandez’s growth and influence in the center of the pitch, noting how well the 23-year-old has settled into his tactical setup.

**“I’m very pleased with Enzo. He’s a nice boy, polite, a good person. At the beginning, he struggled to understand the way we want to play, but now he’s doing fantastic — with goals, assists, and overall contributions.”**

Maresca emphasized that he prefers a system where several players help with scoring duties instead of depending on a classic striker. Fernandez has been a key figure in establishing control and rhythm in Chelsea’s midfield.

**Club World Cup: Chelsea vs Benfica — Stars to Watch**

As Chelsea prepare for a crucial meeting with Benfica, much of the attention will center on Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez—two individuals Bruno Lage considers elite. Their standout abilities could be crucial in this elimination match.

If Chelsea manage to get past Benfica, they may encounter Brazilian giants Palmeiras or Botafogo in the following round—heightening the importance as the Blues pursue global honors.

**Closing Remarks**

With the FIFA Club World Cup heating up, the upcoming Chelsea vs Benfica encounter is set to bring drama, quality, and thrilling action. Whether it’s Neto lighting up the flanks or Fernandez controlling the midfield, Chelsea’s ambitions could rest on the shoulders of the very players their rivals respect most.