Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea’s £105 million signing, has come under fire from former Blues defender William Gallas, who has questioned whether the Argentine midfielder is truly suited for the demanding nature of the Premier League.
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Fernandez, who was a standout performer for Argentina in their 2022 World Cup victory, arrived at Stamford Bridge with high expectations following his £105m move from Benfica in January 2023.
However, despite flashes of brilliance, the 23-year-old has often struggled to live up to the hype, particularly in a Chelsea team undergoing significant transition.
Now, under manager Enzo Maresca, Fernandez’s role at Chelsea appears to be diminishing. With Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia establishing themselves as the preferred midfield pairing, Fernandez has found himself relegated to the bench, failing to start a Premier League match since early October.
Maresca himself has acknowledged that the duo of Caicedo and Lavia gives Chelsea more “balance,” but also assured that Fernandez will still have a role to play over the course of the season.
Despite these reassurances, Gallas has voiced serious concerns over Fernandez’s ability to thrive in English football. Speaking to Prime Casino, the former Chelsea centre-back said, “Enzo Fernandez is a different player.
He has quality, but the Premier League is a tough league, and not everyone can cope with that. He has to improve his fitness and consistency.”
Gallas elaborated, saying that Fernandez’s position as a central midfielder in the Premier League demands more than just skill—it requires the ability to cover ground, be physically robust, and contribute regularly in both attack and defence.
“He has to do more; he needs to run more, be more consistent,” Gallas continued. “We need him to score goals, provide assists, and perform as a box-to-box midfielder. Can he really do that? I’m not sure.”
While Gallas’ comments reflect growing doubts about Fernandez’s ability to deliver on his hefty price tag, the former player acknowledged that Fernandez still has opportunities to prove himself.
“He’ll get chances, even if it’s coming off the bench,” Gallas said. “He had an opportunity against Manchester United to score the second goal, which could’ve won the game for Chelsea. He needs to take these moments when they come.”
It’s been a tough season for Fernandez so far, and his position in the squad is under increased scrutiny. As a vice-captain at the start of the season, he now finds himself relegated to the fringes, which highlights the challenges he faces in adapting to Chelsea’s evolving tactical setup.
Adding to the concerns, football pundit Graeme Souness has also weighed in on Fernandez’s struggles, suggesting that the midfielder may never reach the high level Chelsea expected when they splashed out on him.
Speaking on the Three Up Front podcast, Souness said, “From the current squad, there will be a lot of wasted money. I don’t think Enzo Fernandez will ever live up to the level Chelsea hoped for when they spent £105 million on him.”
Despite these reservations, it seems unlikely that Chelsea will part ways with Fernandez anytime soon, given his significant weekly wage of £180,000 and a contract running until 2032.
Although Barcelona and Inter Milan have reportedly shown interest in the player, early reports suggest that Fernandez is still committed to fighting for his place in the Chelsea lineup.
As the season progresses, Fernandez faces a crucial period where he must prove that he can handle the rigours of Premier League football and justify the hefty fee Chelsea paid for him.
With competition intensifying for places in the starting XI, the coming months could determine whether he can find his form or if Chelsea will be forced to reassess their investment.