Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp had doubts about Enzo Fernandez when the Chelsea midfielder made his £107m move to Stamford Bridge at the start of 2023.
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The Argentine was signed as the most expensive player in Premier League history after helping his country win the World Cup.
Redknapp initially thought the Premier League’s pace would be too much for the 23-year-old, but his recent form has completely changed that opinion.
Fernandez Struggles Early On but Now Shines
Fernandez’s early days in England weren’t easy. Despite the hefty price tag, his first season at Chelsea was underwhelming, with the midfielder even losing his place in the starting lineup at the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Chelsea fans were left questioning if they had made a mistake. However, Fernandez has since found his rhythm, impressing with three goals and three assists in 11 league appearances this term.
Redknapp praised Fernandez’s performance in Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Tottenham, saying he looked “exceptional” on the pitch.
He noted that Fernandez now resembles the player Chelsea paid £105m for and acknowledged the tactical adjustments made by manager Enzo Maresca that have helped the Argentine flourish.
Praise from Martin Keown and Ashley Williams
Arsenal legend Martin Keown also recognized Fernandez’s transformation, stating that he now looks like the player Chelsea hoped for when they signed him.
Keown highlighted Fernandez’s ability to score from midfield and contribute to the attack, making him one of the standout players in the Premier League.
Former Everton defender Ashley Williams echoed similar sentiments, saying Fernandez has gone from being a potential flop to one of the league’s most in-form players.
He credited Maresca for the team’s consistency and noted that Chelsea’s impressive run has seen them climb to just four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.
Chelsea’s Impressive Run Under Maresca
Despite Chelsea’s resurgence, Maresca has kept expectations in check. After the Spurs victory, he downplayed talk of a title challenge, focusing on the team’s progress and improvements.
“We are ahead of my expectations,” Maresca said. “But we’re not ready to compete with the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool just yet. We are far from those teams, but we focus on daily improvement.”
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of performance, with every player aware that they must stay sharp to hold onto their place in the squad.
