Joe Cole claims Leicester couldn’t get near ‘brilliant’ Chelsea player in Saturday’s match

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Joe Cole believes one Chelsea player was a class above Leicester City in Saturday’s game at the King Power Stadium.

Chelsea left the East Midlands with three points after winning 2-1 away to Leicester in the Premier League.

Enzo Maresca, the Blues manager, enjoyed a happy return during a visit to his former club. He helped the Foxes win promotion from the Championship last season before leaving for west London in the summer.

Chelsea were without Pedro Neto against Leicester because of an injury problem, while Malo Gusto was absent as well through illness. It highlights the brilliant depth in the Blues squad that they still had a formidable group to select from this weekend, though.

• READ MORE: How Leicester fans reacted to Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s return to the King Power Stadium during Chelsea match

Joe Cole says Leicester couldn’t handle Enzo Fernandez

Joe Cole singled out Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez for massive praise after his individual display away to Leicester.

The 23-year-old central midfielder was recalled to the starting line-up this weekend, which meant he started a league game for the first time since 6 October. In return, he scored and assisted to put down a huge marker.

When discussing Fernandez’s performance versus Leicester, Cole told TNT Sports 1 (2:45pm, 23 November): “He needed this game for himself, for his confidence and belief… He was brilliant today. He was getting it in all areas of the pitch. He was probing. I thought the midfield of Leicester could not get near him.”

Fernandez assisted Chelsea’s opening goal against the Foxes because he played the pass into Nicolas Jackson, who then showed incredible skill and composure to score.

The Argentine star then got on the scoresheet himself by smelling danger and tucking in an easy header from a close distance. Interestingly, Maresca says he’s been urging Chelsea’s Fernandez to attack the box more, which is exactly how he scored his first goal of the season on Saturday.

Enzo Fernandez in fantastic form

Despite struggling for league starts recently, Fernandez is playing some great football right now, particularly when it comes to the creative side of his game.

Here is a look at the central midfielder’s most recent appearances:

It’s been refreshing to see Fernandez hit this purple patch, even when not everything is going his way.

Barcelona and Inter Milan are interested in signing Chelsea’s Fernandez, but he’s determined to fight for his position at Stamford Bridge.