Enzo Maresca arriving at Chelsea is probably the best thing that could have happened to Enzo Fernandez.
Under Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter, Fernandez was unable to play his best football.
Fast forward to now, and most would agree that the 24-year-old is now one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
Should Chelsea sell Enzo Fernandez to buy Elliot Anderson?
However, life under Maresca has not always been plain sailing for Fernandez.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca and Enzo Fernandez on touchline
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez struggled to understand role at Chelsea
Fernandez and Chelsea face Barcelona next in the Champions League, and in the build-up to the game, Maresca has been speaking about the Argentine.
According to the Chelsea head coach, Fernandez initially struggled in the role that he gave him.
Speaking to football.london and other outlets ahead of Tuesday’s match, Maresca said: “I’ve always thought he was a great player. At the beginning, he was struggling to understand the role but he is in an important place for us on the field.”
What the big names have said in the past about Chelsea vs Barcelona
“There are players here who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid. I never thought I would hear myself say that. I also never thought I would see something worse than the Boca and River Plate rivalry or Brazil v Argentina – but this is. We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea.”
Lionel Messi
“I thought this could be the worst night of my footballing life, I was thinking towards double figures, I spent the first 20 minutes getting nowhere near Xavi and Iniesta”
Frank Lampard
“I always say this Barcelona team was the best of my generation, one team was capable of matching them in this era and that was us.”
John Terry
Looking at some of Fernandez’s recent performances, it would be fair to say that he has definitely adapted to his midfield role.
For example, the Argentina international often finds himself in the box at the exact right moment. His goal against Burnley over the weekend is proof of that.
It was his fourth goal in the Premier League this season and his fifth in all competitions.
Chelsea fans are describing Fernandez as a “box crasher” following all of the goals that he has been scoring in the penalty area. Again, then, you can certainly argue that he is now doing what Maresca clearly wants him to do: impact games in midfield and in the box.