Troy Deeney has praised Enzo Fernandez for his recent form and highlighted the fact the midfielder does the “ugly stuff.”
The Blues made it four Premier League wins in a row after coming from 2-0 down against Tottenham to win 4-3 and move within four points of leaders Liverpool.
Maresca’s men are now outright second and two points ahead of Arsenal after they drew with Fulham, and are also four points ahead of Manchester City in fourth.
Deeney praises Fernandez form
Fernandez has had a difficult season and spent four games on the bench after losing his place to Romeo Lavia against Liverpool at the end of October.
The 23-year-old got his head down and worked hard and since coming back after the November international break he looks a completely different player.
Fernandez was named in the starting line-up against Leicester and he put in a man of the match performance as he assisted Nicolas Jackson and got on the scoresheet himself.
Enzo Fernandez in midfield. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Fernandez is arguably in the best form of his Chelsea career. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
The World Cup winner is arguably in the best form of his Chelsea career and has three goals and two assists in his last four games, including the all important third goal against Spurs.
Maresca revealed earlier this month where he felt Fernandez had really improved and he’s now one of the first names on the team sheet.
Deeney has praised Fernandez and believes the Argentina international now looks like the player the Blues paid over £100m for.
“Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea). Over the past two, three or four weeks he is starting to show why Chelsea have paid £100m for him,” Deeney told BBC Sport.
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“He scored but if you watched the game against Spurs as intently as I did you’ll have seen his all-round play is just miles better. He is getting involved, doing the ugly stuff as well and showing those shoots of quality.”
Chelsea are action in the Conference League on Thursday against Astana and it’s highly unlikely Fernandez will feature, with the midfielder set to be well rested for Sunday’s game against Brentford.