'There are signs that Fernandez is coming good'
- Published
It would be excessive to say Enzo Fernandez has arrived at Chelsea after his goal scoring display at Leicester - but he has taken an important step forward in recent weeks.
The 23-year-old midfielder began this season amid an alleged racism scandal towards the French national team and recently lost his place to Romeo Lavia.
It was a worrying situation given Chelsea spent 拢107m to sign Fernandez from Benfica in January 2023.
But despite some good moments, especially in the first six months, Fernandez has never got going in England.
A young player who doesn't speak English, with a big price tag and having had a hernia issue that needed surgery, he has not been able to be the star midfielder Chelsea expected him to be after signing him straight after winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar.
The Fifa Young Player of the Tournament was meant to build a partnership with Moises Caicedo for the ages but as the Ecuadorian has improved markedly, Fernandez has needed more time.
Furthermore, he has had to contend with headlines about his personal life in his native Argentina.
Yet, there are signs he is coming good after a positive substitute cameo against Arsenal saw him set up Pedro Neto's equaliser and having capped off a good performance at Leicester with a headed goal.
The goal celebration saw Fernandez cup his hands to his ears in defiance while he conducted his first post-match interview on TV in English.
These recent performances signal a potential turnaround for Fernandez at Chelsea.
