February 8th 2024.
Chelsea's manager, Mauricio Pochettino, had nothing but praise for Enzo Fernandez after his impressive performance against Aston Villa. The Argentine midfielder, who signed for Chelsea for a record-breaking fee of £107 million, showed why he was worth the investment with a superb display in their FA Cup fourth-round replay.
Fernandez controlled the midfield with ease, dictating the tempo of the game and even scoring a stunning free-kick against his compatriot, Emi Martinez. However, it was his goal celebration that caught everyone's attention. After scoring, Fernandez took off his shirt and pointed at his name and the pitch, a gesture that was interpreted by many as a statement of his commitment to Chelsea despite rumors of him regretting his move to Stamford Bridge.
When asked about the celebration, Pochettino explained that in today's world, it's easy for people to abuse others, especially those in the public eye like football players. He emphasized that players are human and not robots and that it's unfair for them to be subjected to such abuse. He also believed that Fernandez's celebration was a response to the criticism he has received on social media, mainly due to the size of his transfer fee.
Pochettino went on to praise Fernandez's performance, stating that the midfielder showed why he was brought to Chelsea and why he's a world-class player. He also acknowledged the challenges that Fernandez has faced since his arrival, such as not having a proper break and adapting to a new environment and culture. However, Pochettino firmly believed in Fernandez's abilities and urged people to stop creating unrealistic expectations and instead support the players in their journey to build something special at Chelsea.
In conclusion, Pochettino's message was clear: the constant scrutiny and pressure put on players, especially young ones, are not conducive to their development and success. He urged people to understand that football is just a game, and players are not immune to the effects of abuse and criticism. With the right support and belief, Pochettino is confident that Fernandez and other young players at Chelsea will continue to thrive and achieve great things for the club.
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