Chelsea fans are happy with both their Enzos and both of them seem happy with each other, thanks to midfielder Enzo Fernández’s latest revelation.
The club’s manager, Enzo Maresca, has given the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner and young player of the tournament a new lease of life in the middle of the park for the team, which has led to his improvement both as a midfielder in chance creation and as a goal threat.
Ahead of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve schedules, the former Benfica man has spoken to the media on how his relationship with the manager is going and how it is affecting his overall development in the club.
Fernández, who joined the club in a massive €121 million deal after the 2022 World Cup, told ESPN: “When I arrived it was very difficult, the first year and a half here: change of coaches, the club wasn’t doing well, personal injuries.
“[The price tag] didn’t affect me,” he added. “I tried to take it responsibly, with enjoyment, without pressure. I was not satisfied with what I had been showing, then I got injured, many adverse things happened, I tried to move forward but today I feel very good, as does the team and we hope to continue on this path.”
This change has made the club and the fans surprised as Maresca looked like he was going to set up his Chelsea team without the mega-money signing, who was one of the bright spots under Mauricio Pochettino last season. Fernández claims now that he had to learn how to play under the former Leicester City boss, which has led to his adaptation and development.
“I learned the position in which I had to play, over time I got the idea of what the coach wanted,” he said. “He [Maresca] explained to me what he wanted and I was getting the concept, reading the games. There is still a long way to go.
“On a personal level I have been feeling very good. The team has shown a very strong character, always working and with humility and showing that great things can be achieved.
“There is still a long way to go.”
Chelsea’s next two fixtures before the end of 2024 are against Fulham on Boxing Day and against Ipswich Town on 30 December. They are currently second on the log and four points behind league leaders, Liverpool.
