Only Mohamed Salah has scored 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 reaction when presented with the numbers shows why he is seen as a leader by Enzo Maresca.
“I'm not really into statistics,” Fernandez told 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 providing an assist.”
Fortunately for Chelsea, both things happen. They face Everton on Sunday after a run of eight consecutive wins in all competitions. The gap with Premier League leaders Liverpool has been reduced to two points and Fernandez has been crucial, with three goals and four assists in six games.
“I'm very happy with how things are going. I've worked a lot for it. It's a feeling that every player wants. I'm satisfied with my performance, but even more so with the team's performance, that's the most important thing.” I will continue to work to help my teammates.
From losing his place in the Chelsea team in October to being one of the Premier League's best performers two months later, there has been a turnaround. Maresca has described the 23-year-old, World Cup winner with Argentina, as an “example” to his teammates over his response to his rejection.
“I have experienced many difficult moments in my career,” says Fernandez. “I knew that with hard work and humility I could feel how I wanted to again.
“I always tried to be together with the group and support everyone who played. Even when I don't play, I always try to train the same way, to support the team in every match, in whatever minutes I get, and to be available and ready when I am needed.
“I stayed strong in my mind and worked with humility, while supporting my teammates and the coaching staff. I wanted to keep learning and open to possibilities. I hope I was an example for the group, as Enzo said. Now goes it's about continuing in the same way.”
Fernandez has had to carry the burden of a £107m price tag since arriving from Benfica two years ago and has also embraced a new position, adapting to the tactical demands of operating further forward, having previously played in the starting line-up from midfield was used.
He looks like a player who has been uncommitted since the switch and his attacking performances have been transformed. Fernandez's figures for passes into the opponent's half, shots and chances created have skyrocketed, and his excellent vision now helps unlock the defense.
“I will always do what the coach asks of me,” he says. “Whatever position I am asked to take, I will give the best version of myself and work for the team.
“Right now I'm asked to play a little closer to the penalty area, with the opportunity to score or assist my teammates. It's fun and I really like the position.”
However, it is not a purely attacking role. Alongside Moises Caicedo, he is also expected to protect Chelsea's defence. “It's an attacking position when it's time to attack, but when it's time to defend I have to get back next to Moi to close the space between the lines.”
Maresca said his decision to drop Fernandez for Romeo Lavia was due to a lack of physicality, but he has also responded on that front by using the weeks away from the squad to work on his intensity without the ball. The tracking data shows that he runs further and sprints more.
“It's a very demanding role, especially in the Premier League where the football is more direct. I've worked a lot to be at the right level physically. I'm very happy with that side of things.”
The mention of Caicedo brings a grin. It is clear that they are active both nearby and on the field. “It's incredible to share the pitch with Moi. I pushed a lot for him to come to Chelsea when the club was going to sign him. Now that he's here you can see he's not a normal player.”
“He is also a great person and he brings us a lot as a team and as a teammate. We get along very well. Every day we understand each other better. He is an exceptional player. I hope to share many more years with him on the pitch here at Chelsea.”
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 and then feeding his midfield partner to release Nicolas Jackson with a perfectly weighted pass.
Fernandez also gives a glowing review of Cole Palmer.
“Cole has shown that he is a very good player, but he also works hard every day to be where he is today. No one knows what he can achieve in football, but I believe in him and I trust him to do everything will achieve what he sets out to achieve.” his mind because he has incredible quality.”
However, it is Maresca who is inspiring optimism around Chelsea this season. “We have only been working with him for a few months, but from the beginning he was very clear when it was time to work and when it was time to convey his idea of football, and the same goes for his coaching staff,” says Fernandez. “We understood his plan perfectly.”
Maresca immediately showed his faith in Fernandez, making him captain in August in the absence of the injured Reece James, despite making headlines in Argentina for the wrong reasons that summer. “I was beyond grateful,” he says.
He describes wearing the bracelet 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 enormously. You can see that we are very happy and that is thanks to him and his staff.”
Maresca has downplayed Chelsea's title chances despite their strong start to the season, and Fernandez is sending a similar message even though his ambitions are clear.
“There is still a lot to do. We just go from weekend to weekend. I don't want to set a goal that might not be necessary now. But of course as a player I have always dreamed of doing great.” Winning the Premier League would be a dream for all of us.
“For myself and the club, the goal is to win every competition we play in. That is the history of Chelsea. The history of the club represents that.”
Of course, Fernandez has already lifted the biggest trophy of all and played a crucial role in Argentina's World Cup success in Qatar in 2022. But his hunger for more silverware is clear.
“Winning the World Cup was an incredible thing to do so young,” he says. “But I never thought that was enough. In my head I always thought about going for more. I hope to achieve much more.”
With Enzo Fernandez leading the way, Chelsea will hope the same.
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