Enzo Fernandez proved to be the match winner for Chelsea once again on Tuesday evening, with the Argentine inspiring the Blues to three points against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge
07:00, 20 May 2026
Xabi Alonso
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Newly-appointed Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso(Image: Richard Sellers/Allstar)
A little over 24 hours before Chelsea's win over Tottenham on Tuesday evening, a reporter asked Calum McFarlane a question about the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.
The journalist used the word 'strained' to describe the relationship between the players and supporters, to which McFarlane replied: "I think if you think it looks strained, it's because of results and performances. Tottenham adds an extra incentive. Any London derby does. We want to put on a show for the fans.
"We want to perform at our best level at Stamford Bridge in front of the fans in a London derby to get three points, to put ourselves in the best position to get European football."
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McFarlane wanted to put on a show. It wasn't quite possible to do that, performance-wise, with the interim head coach putting it down to his squad's energy levels, but the result was exactly what Chelsea supporters needed. All of the chants were out. "Lincoln away, ole, ole", "that's why you're going down", "Tottenham Hotspur, it's happened again" - you name it, Chelsea fans probably sang it.
The Chelsea players did a lap of honour post-match, as is tradition following the final home game of the season, and there were plenty of fans there to applaud them off the field. For a brief moment, the never-ending pain of a bleak campaign ended. The jubilation of beating Tottenham - and keeping their bitter rivals in the relegation conversation this weekend - had taken over.
And that was thanks to one man, though McFarlane will tell you otherwise, "I don't think there was anyone you could name on our team that didn't give absolutely everything to get the win," said the interim head coach, nobly, ensuring he praised all of his players. "We don't want to single out one player."
If he won't, I will. Enzo Fernandez - once again - outshone the rest. It's something he's done many times in a Chelsea shirt, especially this season.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates
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Enzo Fernandez celebrates Chelsea's win against Tottenham(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
A goal, the Argentine's 15th of the season in all competitions and his 10th in the Premier League, and an assist in another match-winning display for Chelsea's No.8. In a season that Blues supporters will want to forget in a hurry, Fernandez's contribution should live on in people's memory.
If he leaves in the summer, it might be forgotten, but Chelsea cannot afford to let that happen. Fernandez was once considered an 'untouchable' at Stamford Bridge, but his bombshell comments left his future in doubt. Now we approach the summer transfer window, there will inevitably be rumours over the 25-year-old's future.
Fernandez and his entourage plan to revisit contract talks with Chelsea at the end of the season after they broke down earlier in the campaign. Only Fernandez knows what his celebration, where he imitated calling someone on the phone, meant on Tuesday night. Chelsea fans will be hoping it's something to do with signing a contract extension.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates
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Enzo Fernandez celebrates scoring for Chelsea against Tottenham(Image: Adrian Dennis/AFP)
Chelsea sources have insisted ever since he flirted with a move to Real Madrid that Fernandez, who was signed for almost £107million in January 2023, is happy at Stamford Bridge. The club will be hoping the appointment of Xabi Alonso will appease not only Fernandez but the rest of the squad.
Alonso is a big coup for the Blues, with the Spaniard widely regarded as one of the best coaching talents in the game. The fact Alonso was once a world-class central midfielder will surely excite Fernandez, who continues on the right trajectory to become that himself in the future. Some might argue he's already in the 'world-class' bracket.
Chelsea will allow Alonso, who will officially begin his role on July 1, more power over operations within the club by giving him the 'manager' title rather than 'head coach'. BlueCo want Alonso to be heavily involved in Chelsea's summer transfer business, more so than his predecessors, and while the Blues are crying out for improvements in some key areas, the west Londoners must also do their best to retain what they already have in some respects.
Tying Fernandez down to an improved contract should be right at the top of Alonso and BlueCo's agenda. A match-winner, a leader and somebody match-going supporters adore. That isn't easy to replace; in fact, it's extremely difficult.
So are the 10 Premier League goals he has scored this season. In BlueCo's tenure, only three players - Joao Pedro, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson - have managed to reach double digits in the competition.
There is set to be major surgery when it comes to the Chelsea squad this summer, with a host of incomings and outgoings expected, but in Fernandez, the Blues have a player with traits and qualities they should want every one of their new signings to possess.
That in no way, shape or form suggests Fernandez is the perfect player. He's not; there is the odd occasion when you watch him and you want more, not only in terms of his performance, but his attitude. Equally, he wears his heart on his sleeve and that's what the Chelsea supporters will buy into.
Fernandez shows, for most Chelsea fans, the passion and fight they would play with if they were ever fortunate enough to grace the Stamford Bridge pitch. Even though he is from Buenos Aires, a city almost 7000 miles away from London, Fernandez very much feels like one of Chelsea's own with what he shows on the pitch.
Enzo Fernandez and his Chelsea colleagues celebrate the opening goal against Tottenham
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Enzo Fernandez and his Chelsea colleagues celebrate(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
He has often found himself in the thick of it with ex-Blues players, so it came as a bit of a surprise we didn't see much of Fernandez vs Conor Gallagher, the Tottenham midfielder who was heavily booed in his first Stamford Bridge appearance since departing.
Fernandez didn't need to get involved in that. He had a game to win.
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It was fitting that a player the match-going fans have completely bought into put in a game-winning display to remind Chelsea supporters of what football is all about.
Chelsea's sporting leadership team penned an open letter to supporters in Tuesday night's programme. The standout line was the five-strong team of sporting directors admitting they "must do better" in the future.
Securing a new deal for Fernandez this summer will make that job a whole lot easier.