Only Mohamed Salah has more goals and assists than Enzo Fernandez in the last six weeks in the Premier League. But he is more interested in the collective. His response when the numbers are put to him shows why he is seen as a leader by Enzo Maresca.
“I’m not too big on statistics,” Fernandez tells Sky Sports. “Of course, I like to score. I like to get assists. But the priority is always the team and what the manager wants. If the team wins, I go home happier about that than about scoring or giving an assist.”
Happily for Chelsea, both things are happening. They face Everton on Sunday on a run of eight consecutive wins in all competitions. The gap to Premier League leaders Liverpool has been reduced to two points and Fernandez has been key, with three goals and four assists in six games.
“I’m very happy with how things are going. I have worked a lot for it. It is a feeling every player wants. I’m pleased with my performances but even more with the performances of the team, which is most important. I’m going to keep working to help my team-mates.
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Jamie Carragher gives his verdict on Chelsea’s title chances
From losing his place in the Chelsea team in October to being one of the Premier League’s best performers two months later, it has been some turnaround. Maresca has described the 23-year-old, a World Cup-winner with Argentina, as an “example” to his team-mates for his response to being dropped.
“I have been through a lot of difficult moments in my career,” says Fernandez. “I knew that with hard work and humility I would be able to get back to feeling how I wanted.
“I always tried to be together with the group and support whoever was playing. Even when I’m not playing, I always try to train in the same way, to support the team in every game, in whatever minutes I get, and be available and ready for when I’m needed.
“I stayed strong in my head and worked with humility, supporting my team-mates and the coaching staff. I wanted to keep learning and be open to possibilities. I hope I was an example to the group, as Enzo said. Now it’s about continuing in the same way.”
Fernandez has had to shoulder the burden of a £107m price-tag since his arrival from Benfica two years ago and he has embraced a new position too, adapting to the tactical demands of operating further forward having previously been used at the base of midfield.
Fernandez’s heat maps highlight how he is playing further forward
He looks like a player unshackled since the change, his attacking output transformed. Fernandez’s numbers for passes in the opposition half, shots and chances created have rocketed, his outstanding vision now helping to unlock defences.
“I will always do whatever the coach asks of me,” he says. “Whichever position I’m asked to play in, I will give the best version of myself and work for the team.
“Right now, I’m being asked to play a bit closer to the box, with the opportunity to score or assist my team-mates. It’s a nice thing and I like the position a lot.”
It is not, however, a purely offensive role. Alongside Moises Caicedo, he is also expected to protect Chelsea’s defence. “It’s an offensive position when it’s time to attack, but when it’s time to defend, I have to get back alongside Moi to close the space between the lines.”
Fernandez’s numbers since his change of position
Maresca said his decision to drop Fernandez for Romeo Lavia was due to a lack of physicality but he has responded on that front too, using the weeks out of the side to work on his intensity off the ball. Tracking data shows he is running further and sprinting more.
“It is a very demanding role, especially in the Premier League where the football is more direct. I have worked a lot to be at the right level physically. I am really happy with that side of things.”
Every day we understand each other more. He is an exceptional player. I hope to share many years with him on the pitch
The mention of Caicedo brings a grin. It is clear they are close off the pitch as well as on it. “Sharing the pitch with Moi is incredible. I insisted a lot that he came to Chelsea when the club went to sign him. Now he’s here, you can see he’s not a normal player.
“He is a great person as well and he brings us a lot as a team and as a team-mate. We are getting on very well. Every day we understand each other more. He is an exceptional player. I hope to share many years with him on the pitch here at Chelsea.”
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Fernandez assisted the second goal in the 2-1 win over Brentford
The passage of play that led to Chelsea’s second goal in last weekend’s win over Brentford showed how they complement each other, with Caicedo winning possession then feeding his midfield partner to release Nicolas Jackson with a perfectly-weighted pass.
Fernandez offers a glowing review of Cole Palmer too.
“Cole has shown he is a very good player but he also works hard every day to be where he is today. Nobody knows what he will be able to achieve in football but I believe in him and I trust that he will achieve anything he puts his mind to because he has incredible quality.”
For myself and the club, the goal is to win every competition we play in. That is the history of Chelsea
It is Maresca, though, who is inspiring the optimism around Chelsea this season. “We have only had a few months with him but from the beginning he was very clear when it was time to work and time to transmit his idea of football, and the same for his coaching staff,” says Fernandez. “We have understood his plan perfectly.”
Maresca showed his faith in Fernandez immediately, making him captain in the absence of the injured Reece James in August, despite him having made headlines for the wrong reasons in Argentina that summer. “I was more than grateful,” he says.
Fernandez has scored as many Premier League goals this term as in the previous season and a half
He describes wearing the armband as “something very beautiful” and praises the directness of Maresca’s communication. “He is very honest, always up front and that has helped the group a lot. You can see we’re very happy and that is thanks to him and his staff.”
Maresca has played down Chelsea’s title chances despite their strong start to the campaign and Fernandez projects a similar message – although his ambitions are clear.
“There is still a lot left to do. We just go weekend to weekend. I don’t want to set a target that maybe isn’t necessary right now. But of course, as a player, I have always dreamed of doing great things. Winning the Premier League would be a dream for us all.
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Highlights from Chelsea’s 4-3 win at Tottenham, in which Fernandez scored
“For myself and the club, the goal is to win every competition we play in. That is the history of Chelsea. The club’s history represents that.”
Of course, Fernandez has already lifted the biggest trophy of them all, playing a crucial role in Argentina’s World Cup success in Qatar in 2022. But his appetite for further silverware is clear.
“Winning the World Cup was an incredible thing to do so young,” he says. “But I never felt that was enough. In my head, I was always thinking about going for more. I hope to achieve a lot more.”
With Enzo Fernandez leading the way, Chelsea hope for the same.
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