Journalists points to one assist which changed Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea career | OneFootball

Chelsea face Benfica tomorrow afternoon in the Club World Cup, and it’s a nice moment to look at one of the recent connections between our club and the Portuguese giants – Enzo Fernandez.

Fernandez was just getting started in Lisbon when the Blues came calling in January 2023. He had made only 25 starts, but already looked a classy operator, hence Chelsea dropping a British record £106.7m on him.

Jacob Steinberg’s piece on the midfielder covers that journey, as well as Fernandez’ progress since.

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Enzo’s big turning point against Gunners

Enzo Fernandez celebrates his goal with a phone gesture.

In a tricky first 18 months Fernandez showed plenty of good flashes, but also saw his form struggling at the start of last season. As Steinberg points out, nobody really raised an eyebrow when Enzo was benched against Liverpool in October, and didn’t start him in four consecutive league games.

Steinberg points to an assist against Arsenal in November after coming on as a sub as a turning point for Fernandez. Days later he had a start against Leicester in a tweaked formation, playing in a more advanced role and picking up a goal and an assist.

Since then he’s barely looked back, racking up goals contributions for club and country ever since. That one pass really might have sparked it all.

Finding Enzo’s best role helped by squad additions

Enzo’s ability to play further forward has been enhanced by the additions made to the squad. Romeo Lavia being fit to play alongside Moises Caicedo, as well as the arrival of Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo this summer should mean that Enzo is now properly considered a number ten, where he clearly is doing good work.

He still can play deep when we need, and his lovely passing range comes to the fore there.