Enzo Fernandez has made a optimistic begin to his Chelsea profession. In an in any other case troublesome interval, his kind has been a shiny spot for the Stamford Bridge aspect.
After signing in the course of the January switch window, Fernandez has hit the bottom working and made himself an integral a part of the Blue’s line-up as they search to show their season round.
Enzo Fernandez Shines
There have been loads of optimistic moments early on in his time at Chelsea to encourage followers.
There was his clean, floating help to Joao Felix to provide the striker his first Chelsea objective in opposition to rivals West Ham, plus, his six tackles in opposition to Fulham in a shedding trigger.
Mixed with a powerful efficiency within the Champions League in opposition to Dortmund, regardless of being on the fallacious finish of a Karim Adeyemi counter-attack.
Fernandez has proven all of the indicators of being a franchise participant for Chelsea and being – dare I say it – value his $129m price ticket.
On the tender of age 22, he’s the costliest Premier League participant in historical past, a World Cup winner, and one of many hottest phenoms presently enjoying. Right here’s why.
Enzo Fernandez Origins
Enzo Fernandez was born within the tiny city of San Martin, simply outdoors Buenos Aires and proper within the yard of his boyhood membership, River Plate.
Fittingly, he made his first-team look in 2019 at 18. After sometimes enjoying within the first group and dominating U20 competitions, he left on mortgage for Defensa y Justicia for extra enjoying time.
There, he absolutely blossomed into among the best midfielders in South America.
His tenacity off the ball and method on it helped him to a beginning spot and a job of their Copa Sudamericana-winning season.
After returning to River Plate, his performances wowed scouts and journalists alike. His ten objectives and 7 assists to kick off the 2022 season motivated commentators to name him the very best in Argentina.
It was becoming that he attracted loads of consideration. Golf equipment like Wolves, Metropolis, Juve, and United have been all enthusiastic about him, however in the long run, he selected Benfica to make a direct impression and get extra enjoying time.
The gamble labored out. Beneath supervisor Roger Schmidt, Fernandez thrived in his new conservative quantity six place.
In 40 video games this season, Fernandez has 4 objectives and an help as Benfica beat their technique to the highest of the league.
However his time in Qatar satisfied Chelsea to safe his signature.
Together with Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, and Emiliano Martinez, Fernandez was vital of their push to say their third World Cup title.
Regardless of not beginning in Saudi Arabia’s shock win over Argentina, he got here off the bench to attain a unbelievable curling objective in opposition to Mexico. He assisted Julian Alvarez’s strike in opposition to Poland to safe qualification.
From there, he performed each doable minute of the knockout rounds. His playmaking and powerful tackling earned him the World Cup’s Greatest Younger Participant Award and ignited robust curiosity from Todd Boehly and the Chelsea entrance workplace.
It leads us to now, with Fernandez a mainstay within the first group and a recent breath of air for an otherwise-dreadful Blues squad. However what makes Fernandez so good?
His ability, defined
One of many important causes Chelsea signed Fernandez was his potential to retain possession. His Benfica aspect retains a median of 66.5% possession within the league, which has led to Fernandez getting 75-150 touches a sport. It helps that Fernandez is an above-average passer who can simply push the ball upfield.
He’s additionally an awesome shot-creator; he ranks tenth in Liga Portugal in shot-creating actions, per FBREF. His presence, Chelsea reasoned, would assist heal a porous again line but in addition assist create extra possibilities for what could be a potent entrance line of Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Kai Havertx.
As quickly as he arrived at Stamford Bridge donning the quantity 5 jersey, Enzo Fernandez made a huge impact.
He obtained the beginning in his debut in opposition to London rivals Fulham, enjoying in a central midfield function. Regardless of the large health and intelligence necessities of enjoying in such a significant place, he managed it beautifully.
Fernandez steadily joined the again line when Chelsea had the ball with Thiago and Benoit Badiashile to play it across the again to retain possession however stepped as much as the midfield when Chelsea misplaced it.
Though it was a woeful evening for Chelsea because the match ended 0-0, Fernandez performed impeccably, amassing 93 touches in 90 minutes of motion.
“I believed he dealt with himself magnificently,” supervisor Graham Potter advised the press after the draw. “Powerful sport, and you would see his high quality; you would see what he’ll deliver to the group.”
Fernandez’s masterclasses (and Chelsea’s poor kind) continued as February wore on. A 1-1 draw with West Ham noticed him ship a hovering cross to a streaking Felix, who scored to open the scoring.
Though Karim Adeyemi burnt him to attain the one objective of Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Dortmund, Fernandez had yet one more strong match. He collected two tackles and 4 blocks whereas offering indispensable cowl within the midfield.
A catastrophic 1-0 loss to Chelsea introduced in nothing new. Fernandez had 5 tackles, probably the most of any participant in blue, whereas additionally getting 71 touches and finishing 53 passes.
It’s been a strong month for the January signing, however this ceiling is excessive for the Argentine. Tough fixtures in opposition to Spurs, Leeds, and Dortmund lie forward, however the defensive ace and Chelsea’s champion creator might be up for the problem.
Picture credit score: IMAGO / PA Pictures