When Chelsea faced Liverpool in October last year, their record signing Enzo Fernandez was abruptly ruled out.
"We don't have indispensable players," said coach Enzo Maresca. However, Enzo has now changed Maresca's thinking by becoming an indispensable factor at Stamford Bridge.
Since returning to the starting lineup in the 2-1 win over Leicester last November, Enzo has started 22 of his 23 Premier League games. This time, against Liverpool, the Argentine midfielder is perhaps Chelsea's most important player.
The 24-year-old continues to thrive in a more advanced role. Previously used in the midfield position alongside Moises Caicedo, Enzo is now moving up. In addition, his activity trend also shifted from the left wing to the right wing.
The 2022 World Cup champion has adapted well to this change. The player born in 2001 has had fewer overall touches, but those touches occur in areas where he can endanger opponents. This season, 64% of his passes have been in the opposition half, a significant increase compared to 54% last season.
The goal against Leicester was one of Enzo's 6 goals since changing roles. As a creative player, the 24-year-old midfielder has had the biggest impact and helped ease the pressure for Cole Palmer.
This is a big change. Last season, Enzo created half as many chances as Palmer in the Premier League (32). Currently, a total of 73 chances with the remaining 4 matches help him be slightly behind his teammates and rank fourth in the tournament overall.
Maresca has given the full-backs the task of filling the void left by Enzo when he has the ball. However, Enzo's role is not entirely attacking. The Argentine player still had to retreat and defend when the team lost the ball.
"It was an attack position when it was time to attack, but when it was time to defend, I had to retreat to Caicedo to close the gap between the lines.
It is a physically demanding role, especially in the Premier League, where the style of play is more direct. I have worked a lot to get into the right physical condition. I am really satisfied with that aspect," Enzo said in December last year.
Maresca also seemed very satisfied with his student. He described Enzo as an example of how he reacted after being left out of the previous squad. The Italian strategist did not hesitate to praise the strong spirit and leadership ability of the Argentine player.
Enzo's total of 19 goals and assists are the second highest among Chelsea players this season. However, the most important thing is that many of them contributed decisively to the result of the match.
4 of his 6 goals brought victory to The Blues. And 6/7 of the 24-year-old's assists in the Premier League have a direct impact on the result.
Maresca has said that no player is irreplaceable, but Enzo is proving the opposite. From being left out of the squad, he has made efforts, adapted to the new role and turned himself into an important attacking force.
In general, Enzo is an almost indispensable link in the current Chelsea system.
