Enzo Fernandez has been in massive form since he moved from Benfica to Chelsea in a record-breaking deal worth €121m (£106.8m).
Mauricio Pochettino recently joked that Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly would kill him if he didn’t start Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo in the London Derby against Arsenal on October 21.
The Argentine signed for the Blues in January for £106million to break the British transfer record before the club broke the record again by signing Caicedo.
Both players cost Chelsea around £222m combined and they both were included in the match against Arteta’s side.
Chelsea coach Pochettino did give the players full 90 minutes with the Blues letting a 2 goal lead go down the drain in the match.
Many fans thought that Enzo Fernandez will be handed a rest alongside Caicedo, but Pochettino didn’t think that was an option.
Speaking on the match, he said: “It’s crazy for players to come back from South America on Wednesday and play on Saturday.”
“But if I say ‘OK, I’m going to give them a rest’ you [the media] will kill me, for sure if they don’t play – and the owner also!”
“Caceido and Enzo arrived after two games in America and they were not fresh. But they are important players for us. It’s really tough to arrive like that. I hope now they can recover and train and in one week be at their best.”
Mauricio Pochettino, speaking on the captainship, said: “To clarify, I think maybe it was Thiago to give it to Enzo but Enzo is still struggling with his English.”
“If we need to communicate with the referee and everything I think Conor can perfectly do the job and for me I prefer Conor than Enzo because I think Conor can speak normally, English.”
“I think Enzo is still not ready to be a captain. It is not only because of character or personality or profile,” Mauricio Pochettino explained.
Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Jeremas Fernandez is an Argentine professional footballer who was born on 17th January, 2001 and plays central midfield for Premier League club Chelsea and the Argentina national team.
After graduating from River Plate’s academy, Fernández made his first-team debut in 2019 and then played on loan for Defensa Justicia for two seasons.
Enzo Fernandez had a productive season there, culminating in victories in the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana, before moving back to River Plate in 2021.
After his return, Fernández became a key member of the team and helped the team win the 2021 Argentina Primera División.
In the summer of 2022, he signed with Benfica in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
After barely six months of service with Benfica, Chelsea of the Premier League acquired him in January 2023 for a British transfer record sum.
Enzo Fernandez in Chelsea vs Arsenal
Sterling and Palmer seemed to get into a heated argument as both wanted to take the Blues’ first-half penalty against the Gunners.
Palmer and Sterling both desired to accept the penalty, but Enzo Fernandez stepped in and appeared to have the final say, insisting that Palmer take the fall.
Palmer scored calmly from the spot to give Chelsea the lead, and Sterling celebrated as well, implying that there is no ill will between the players.
Aside the struggle for penalty which Fernandez intervened, he was fair in performance against Arsenal in the derby.
However, one thing that was noted from the intervention, it shows that Enzo Fernandez have leadership traits in him and will lead Chelsea someday.
Fernandez’s Stats For Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez has played 15 matches for Chelsea, and has 2 shots on target from 11 shots and scored just one goal from the spot for Chelsea.
He averaged 80 passes per match with a pass completion rate of 89%, and has provided 2 assists for the Blues.
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