the Chelsea News
·19. September 2025
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink makes interesting claim about Chelsea ace who’s played 430 minutes this season

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsthe Chelsea News
·19. September 2025
Former Chelsea star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has claimed midfielder Enzo Fernandez still isn’t fully fit yet despite starting every game this season.
The Blues are unbeaten in their opening four league matches, but suffered defeat against Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League game on Wednesday.
Chelsea are back in action on Saturday when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford, where they haven’t won since 2013.
Chelsea had a disrupted pre-season due to their exploits at the Club World Cup, and the players are likely to use the first few weeks of the season to get fully match fit.
Maresca has rotated his side against both Brentford and Bayern, but one player who’s been a constant is Fernandez.
Fernandez has started every Chelsea game this season. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Fernandez has scored two goals and registered an assist in four Premier League games, but he struggled to make an impact against Bayern in a more advanced position.
There have been calls for Enzo Maresca to replace the Argentine with Andrey Santos, and Hasselbaink has claimed Fernandez isn’t fully fit.
“Enzo, this is where his strength is,” he said on BBC’s Champions League Match of the Day.
“Why does he not take this the first hit? For me, that is only one thing. That is, he’s not 100 per cent fit yet.
“That is in the mind and in the body. A good Enzo will take the first touch, and it is in the back of the net.”
It would come as a surprise if Maresca dropped Fernandez to the bench, but Santos is certainly waiting in the wings after impressing from the bench.
More Stories / Latest News
The young Brazilian has shown moments of quality this season, and former Blue Ramires has given Santos his backing.
However, it would appear more likely Santos will get his first start of the season against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening.
Live
Live
Live