Chelsea spent £106m on Enzo Fernandez in the 2023 winter transfer window but the 2022 World Cup winner wasn’t able to show his true colors in the second half of the 2022-23 season.
However, in Chelsea’s 3-2 win over Brighton, the Argentine scored a brace and proved his prominence. He scored his first goal for the West London club in his 31st appearance. Fernandez had attempted more shots than any player in the Premier League (22) this season, without a goal. It took him long but the wait was certainly worth it, for the Blues.
The midfielder has mustered an xG of 3.9 in 13 matches for Chelsea this season. This is the best threat creation of his career. Pochettino is definitely pushing his countrymen to get into goal scoring position.
Fernandez was in the right place at the right time, to score Chelsea’s first goal in the 17th minute. He headed in Benoit Badiashile’s overhead assist from close range. For the second goal, he kept his calm, and netted a breathtaking penalty. The playmaker is finally getting comfortable at the London club.
Fernandez not only took care of his attacking duties but he was also phenomenal in the defensive regions, as he blocked the passing lanes and assisted the team in building up from the back on attacking transitions. If he continues his current form, then he would be a threat to be reckoned with, in the Premier League.
He was the man of the match with two goals, 1.51 xG, three recoveries and 68 percent passing accuracy. Pochettino could keep playing him, high up the field, in the upcoming matches.
This result helped Chelsea bounce back, after their disappointing 1-4 loss against Newcastle in the prevailing week. Now, they are in the tenth spot with 19 points, 10 points away from the fourth placed Aston Villa.
The Blues’ next clash is against Manchester United on December 7 at 1:45 AM IST. It would be interesting to witness how Fernandez performs against the Red Devils at the Theatre of Dreams.
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