Enzo Fernandez showcased against Leicester City why Chelsea spent a British record transfer fee to sign him from Benfica in the January transfer window
Kai Havertz and Enzo Fernandez celebrate Chelsea’s second goal against Leicester City (Image: Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images)
Enzo Fernandez surveyed the scene ahead of him having received the ball from Wesley Fofana. There were eight outfield players between the Argentine and the goal. There was no way through. Nor any easy way around. Only pure invention would unlock the door for Chelsea.
The 22-year-old obliged – and in some style. Fernandez spotted the movement of Kai Havertz and scooped the ball delicately yet effortlessly over the Leicester defence. Goalkeeper Danny Ward rushed off his line but it was nothing more than a token effort. And it enabled Havertz to cushion his shot over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net with minimal fuss.
Chelsea’s celebrations were muted. Havertz explained why after Chelsea had gone on to secure a 3-1 victory at the King Power Stadium. “With VAR it is hard because I thought I was way offside,” the German said. “I have scored so many goals where I was then offside so I thought for sure they are going to take it back.”
It was a goal – or perhaps a pass – that deserved greater jubilation. It was also a firm reminder of why Chelsea opted to pay a record British transfer fee (£106.8million) to sign Fernandez from Benfica in the January window. “He is a great player with a lot of qualities,” stated Havertz. “He already showed it in the last games and he can play these kinds of passes.”
Not since Cesc Fabregas have Chelsea possessed a midfield player capable of producing – to use Havertz’s words – these kinds of passes on a consistent basis. It’s why Fernandez is the only ever-present in the starting XI under Graham Potter since his winter transfer.
“He’s a fantastic player but still a young player,” said Potter on Saturday. “I think he’s going to get better and better when he’s with us more. He’s just arrived in a new country and a new league and players always have to adapt to that. You can see his quality, when he gets the ball he passes forward. He sees everything.”
That there is more to come from Fernandez is a tantalising prospect for Chelsea supporters. As is the possibility of seeing one World Cup winner line up alongside another in the coming weeks.
N’Golo Kante is back in full Chelsea training and could play some part against Everton on Saturday. The 31-year-old hasn’t featured since the second weekend of the season due to a hamstring injury and, obviously, hasn’t been deployed alongside Fernandez in midfield.
It may be some time until the France international is fully up to speed, but there is a genuine possibility of Fernandez and Kante dovetailing when Chelsea’s Champions League campaign resumes next month. And if the two can form an effective partnership – and both stay fit – all bets are off as to what can be achieved between now and the end of the campaign.
