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Last weekend, Chelsea faced Manchester United in a Premier League match, but Enzo Fernández did not feature in the starting lineup. Manager Mauricio Pochettino opted to play Romeo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo instead, citing their superior form as the deciding factor. This choice has sparked significant speculation about Fernández’s standing and future at the club.
Sources close to the team report that the 2022 World Cup winner is determined to reclaim his place in Chelsea’s starting XI. However, whispers suggest that Fernández, who has no intention of spending prolonged periods on the bench, may explore alternatives if his services are deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. This uncertainty has caught the attention of European powerhouses Inter Milan and Barcelona, who are closely monitoring his situation and physical condition.
Since his high-profile transfer from Benfica in 2023 for a record-breaking £107 million, Fernández has been under intense scrutiny. Critics have questioned whether the midfielder has justified his hefty price tag. Notably, TalkSPORT presenter Rory Jennings delivered a scathing critique, suggesting Fernández “should never play again for Chelsea” and even labeling him as potentially “the worst signing in Premier League history.”
Despite such harsh criticism, Enzo Maresca, one of Chelsea’s coaching staff, has expressed understanding for Fernández’s challenges, acknowledging the pressure tied to his record-breaking fee. Maresca also highlighted the midfielder’s recent personal struggles, which have undoubtedly impacted his form. Fernández, at just 23, recently separated from his long-time partner and childhood sweetheart, Valentina Cervantes, with whom he shares two children.
In a pre-match press conference, Maresca addressed the weight of expectations placed on Fernández and other high-priced players. “They’re human,” Maresca remarked. “The price tag isn’t their fault. If a team wants me, they’d have to pay £100 million too. But that doesn’t mean you have to be the best in every match.”
Maresca defended Fernández further, emphasizing that dips in form are normal. “You can’t always perform at your peak. They’re just football players,” he explained. “Enzo isn’t in the starting XI right now, but there’s nothing unusual about that.” He went on to stress that the decision to bench Fernández was purely based on physical readiness, stating that both Lavia and Caicedo are currently better prepared.
The Italian coach concluded by urging fans and pundits to temper their expectations: “Teams spend huge sums on players, and the public expects perfection. That’s not fair. Enzo remains a key figure for us, but for now, it’s about playing those who are best suited to perform.”
