Chelsea put in a really good first-half performance in their FA Cup fourth round replay against Aston Villa.
Conor Gallagher and Nicolas Jackson put Chelsea 2-0 up, but Lee Dixon, who was commentating on the game for ITV (07/02/2024 at 20:17), was also impressed with Enzo Fernandez and the way he was winning the ball back.
It has not been an easy season for the Argentine and his midfield partner Moises Caicedo, who were both recently criticised by Liverpool legend Graeme Souness.
But Chelsea as a whole have obviously struggled this term, with the Blues currently sitting 11th in the Premier League table.
Next up for Mauricio Pochettino‘s side is a top-flight fixture against Crystal Palace.
Lee Dixon loved watching Enzo Fernandez getting stuck in
Dixon enjoyed watching Fernandez put in tackles in the middle of the park in Chelsea’s clash vs Villa, while the midfielder also went on to score a free-kick.
“It’s nice to see Enzo Fernandez snapping into the tackles for Chelsea,” the Arsenal legend said. “He’s won the ball back, Enzo, a couple of times in that midfield area.”
Enzo Fernandez should continue playing in central midfield after Aston Villa game
Pochettino has played Fernandez as a No.10 at times this season, but his first-half display against Villa is further proof of why the 23-year-old should be starting deeper.
Fernandez really excelled there tonight and when you look at his passing range in general, you want him in a position where he can see as much of the pitch as possible.
This season, the Argentina international has averaged 4.3 long balls per game in the Premier League, more than any other Chelsea player bar Robert Sanchez (WhoScored).
If Fernandez is playing high up the pitch as a No.10, then the Blues cannot utilise the above fully.
Ultimately, then, the World Cup winner really should continue plying his trade in the middle of the park.
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