Enzo Fernandez became the highlight of the international break. Fans had expected more from him upon his signing, but he is not living up to such expectations. He also got Chelsea’s captain armband amidst such contention. Questions have surrounded what Coach Maresca might decide on concerning this situation and if Enzo Fernandez is any good to the squad.
Enzo Fernandez Inception At Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea with great hype. His hype was so much that he joined Chelsea as the second most expensive signing since Chelsea’s creation. The expectations of both fans and management were undoubtedly very high. Coupled with the fact that he also got the captain band, Fernandez was left with no choice but to deliver what he promised.
His signing from Benfica as an Argentine player came with performances that boosted the fans’ belief in him. However, it seems like Fernandez has not been much of a relief as expected. His failure last season might be attributed to a generally bad season for Chelsea, but it becomes harder to find a justification when you consider his performance since the start of this season. Chelsea has been on fire, but fans have yet to see Fernandez fan the flame. His absence last season seemed to be a blessing in disguise since the team’s performance improved.
Enzo Fernandez Compared With Other Chelsea Players
Fans expected Enzo Fernandez to be a better player than Moises Caicedo. However, reality seems to defy expectations as Caicedo has become a better player. Caicedo’s development has also been quicker because he has been able to solidify his position in the team, unlike Fernandez.
Fernandez is also not as transformative as Cole Palmer. Palmer has been stellar beyond doubt, but fans still can’t overlook comparing him to Fernandez due to the huge fees Chelsea paid to sign him. He should be on an arguable level with Palmer. On the bright side, Enzo Fernandez has been performing better than Nicholas Jackson. The previous statement exempts Jackson’s ascent because adding such would still leave Enzo’s performance as a weaker competitor.
Enzo Fernandez’s Stats At Chelsea
He features as a midfielder for Chelsea, playing as a left winger. He has found a specialty in playing attacks just a little into the opponent’s box with roughly 11% encroachment. Fernandez has maintained an average of about 66.3 touches per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season. This is a 20.6 drop from 86.9 touches per 90 last season.
His progressive passes also dropped from 5.4 progressive passes per 90 minutes to 8.6 per 90 minutes, as displayed last season. Enzo Fernandez has zero goals or assists this season. He averages 0.13 expected assists every 90 minutes, which is not a good number for an attacking midfielder. He also has some other weak stats, like only winning 42% of tackles, 46% of jewels, and 0.35% of interceptions.
Major Managerial Concerns About Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez has also failed to press as a 10/10 under Pochettino and Maresca. When tested against Man City, he massacred his touches and could not make conversions. It was a disappointing play, and it was no surprise because it was the same under Pochettino. He has also struggled to contribute passes that weaken the opponent’s defense and tested in positions to secure the net and be a major part of the defense.
The management of Chelsea would find it hard to let him go. This is not just because he might still be promising but because he generates one of Chelsea’s highest shirt sales revenue. They need to maintain his reputation as a big player. It’s crucial to their income stream, and management will always love the money.
Conclusion
Enzo Fernandez has improved this season, and we have seen better passes and a better performance in attack. But he still gives out balls cheaply, which undermines his delivery prowess. Maresca might keep Enzo in the starting XI. However, if the productivity drought continues, the manager will be pushed to the corner and forced to find a replacement. Hopefully, that never happens, for Fernandez’s sake.
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