December 9th 2024.
Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp was taken aback by Chelsea's signing of Enzo Fernandez, believing that the young midfielder would struggle to keep up with the pace of the Premier League. However, Fernandez proved everyone wrong when he completed a record-breaking £107m move to Stamford Bridge in 2023, becoming the most expensive player in Premier League history. After helping Argentina win the World Cup, Fernandez signed an impressive eight-and-a-half year contract with Chelsea, solidifying his position as a top player.
Despite his hefty price tag, Fernandez had a slow start to his first season in London and was even benched at the beginning of the current campaign. This raised doubts among Chelsea fans, but he has since found his footing and has impressed with three goals and three assists in just 11 league games. Redknapp was particularly impressed with Fernandez's performance in Sunday's thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham, describing him as "exceptional."
"The manager, Enzo Maresca, has managed to figure out how to unlock Fernandez's potential, something that other managers have struggled with," Redknapp shared with Sky Sports. "He looks exceptional in midfield, like the player they paid £105m for. I initially thought the Premier League would be too fast-paced for him, but he has proven me wrong. It's clear that he thrives in a more attacking role rather than as a defensive midfielder."
Even Arsenal legend Martin Keown couldn't help but praise Fernandez, acknowledging him as one of the most in-form players in the Premier League. "He's unrecognisable now," Keown said on talkSPORT. "People were doubting his abilities as a World Cup winner, but now he's proving them all wrong by scoring goals from midfield and contributing to the attack."
Chelsea's comeback win against Tottenham not only showcased Fernandez's talents, but it also solidified their position as serious contenders for the Premier League title. Former Everton defender Ashley Williams even goes as far as saying that they are "as good as any team in the league right now." However, Maresca remains humble and focused on taking it one game at a time, despite the increasing attention on his team's impressive performances.
"We've exceeded my expectations so far," Maresca admitted. "We've been consistent in our style of play, both on and off the ball, and our results reflect that. While teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool may not falter, we are not at their level yet. But we are constantly striving to improve as a team and not let our performance level drop. Each player knows that there is someone waiting to take their place if they do."
It's clear that Chelsea's new manager has instilled a winning mentality within the team, and their recent string of victories has put them in a strong position in the league standings. But Maresca remains grounded and focused on the long-term goal of continuous improvement. "We're not ready to compete with the likes of Arsenal, City, and Liverpool just yet," he reiterated. "But we're getting there, one day at a time."
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