Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is one of the most expensive Premier League transfers of all time – so when he was dropped, you knew it was not a decision taken lightly.
Enzo Maresca felt like he had enough credit in the bank at that point to make the move, and he decided that he couldn’t justify keeping the Argentine in the team once Romeo Lavia was fit and forming a strong partnership with Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park.
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Enzo Fernandez in midfield for Chelsea. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez warming up before a Conference League game. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez scored for Chelsea against Leicester City. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Seeing £105m man Fernandez reduced to Conference League duty was bizarre. But it didn’t take him long to force his way back into Maresca’s team, with a positional tweak creating a role which really suits him.
Enzo on getting his head down and working his way back into first team
Enzo Fernandez applauds the away fans at the King Power Stadium. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez applauds the away fans at the King Power Stadium. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
In a long interview with Sky Sports, Fernandez explained how he had made it through those tough moments.
“I have been through a lot of difficult moments in my career. I knew that with hard work and humility I would be able to get back to feeling how I wanted,” the midfielder explained.
“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 found his niche in the team, and tomorrow we will need him at his creative best to break down a stubborn Everton.