After a recent resurgence in his performances, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been receiving plaudits for his contribution to the Blues’ rise to second in the Premier League table.
Since his £106.8 million move from Benfica in 2022, Enzo has garnered a lot of criticism for his performances at Stamford Bridge.
Most supporters had been left feeling as though the Argentinian international had not justified his price tag, unable to establish himself fully in a Chelsea shirt.
Furthermore, a great deal of concern had been raised about Enzo’ inability to keep pace with the faster speed of the Premier League, often being dispossessed or sloppy in possession, resulting in poor results for Chelsea.
However, in recent weeks, a complete revival appears to have taken place for the deep-lying playmaker, a turnaround which has seen the Blues shoot up to second in the table, only two points behind leaders Liverpool.
With a lot of the team’s excellent showings having been partially attributed to Enzo’s productive contributions, it seems appropriate to dive into his improvement this season and examine where things have gone right for the Argentine.
Enzo’s output has drastically improved this season
A quick glance at Enzo’s basic statistics demonstrates just how much his goal threat has increased in 2024/25.
In the previous two seasons combined, the Argentine had made 46 league appearances for Chelsea, registering three goals and four assists.
However, when looking at this season alone, he has already managed an identical tally in just 15 appearances.
What is even more impressive, though, is that all of these contributions have come since the 10th November, meaning the midfield maestro has managed to match his output from the prior two seasons in just a single month.
This demonstrates not only the extent to which the Argentine has improved, but also the potential that has been unlocked through Enzo Maresca’s shrewd management. If he can continue to perform to such a high standard, there is no telling the impact Enzo can have for Chelsea this season.
Enzo Maresca’s tactical switch unleashed Enzo’s true potential
Analysis from Opta has shown how slight tactical tweaks from Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has helped his midfield talisman to truly shine in the Blues’ engine room.
The 23-year-old has been allowed a lot of free rein to shift higher up the pitch when Chelsea are in possession. Maresca has shifted makeshift right-back Moises Caicedo into midfield as an extra central player, which has allowed Enzo to make late runs into the box and play incisive passes.
Maresca himself stated that “Now he’s arriving in the box. This is what we need from attacking players. […] He’s in the right way.”
A large part of Enzo’s increased contribution can also be attributed to how much he is able to touch the ball.
According to FotMob, the Argentine has more touches than 93% of Premier League midfielders, while also managing more chances created than 86% of players in the same position.
Furthermore, he is also registering more Expected Assists per 90 than 93% of the division’s centre-midfielders with 0.21.
Essentially, Enzo’s playmaking prowess has been unlocked this campaign. He touches the ball with more regularity, switches play frequently and contributes to clean, penetrating build-up that unsettles defences.
Overall, it must be said that Maresca has done a fantastic job in getting the best from the club’s record signing.
Enzo was initially replaced in the Chelsea lineup
Although now performing to an excellent standard, it is important to remember the adversity overcome by Enzo this season.
After an injury to Belgian midfielder Romeo Lavia had kept him out at the start of the season, a return for the former Southampton man saw Enzo dropped from Chelsea’s starting lineup.
A Lavia-Caicedo partnership was preferred to the Argentine’s inclusion between the end of October and mid-November. A worryingly low 80.6% pass accuracy had been recorded by the 23-year-old up to this point, evidencing his lack of participation.
However, Enzo was restored to the starting XI to face Leicester, and duly took his chance, bagging a goal and an assist in a 2-1 away win.
The former Benfica man has been a mainstay in Maresca’s side ever since, becoming one of the club’s standout performers this season in his more advanced role.
After initially being dropped, it has been impressive to see how the player has dealt with the setback and managed to demonstrate why he commanded such a high fee in 2022.
A continuation of Enzo’s form will be needed, however, if Chelsea are to make a genuine push for the title. With Liverpool in such great form this season, it will be a tall order, but with his newfound confidence in a more attacking role, the sky really is the limit for the 23-year-old at present.
Only time will tell whether Maresca’s side can topple the Reds come the end of the campaign.