After 1-0 defeat, Enzo Fernandez has now done something no other player in Europe has this season

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Chelsea have endured a tough start to the 2023/24 campaign – but there has been one very bright spark in Enzo Fernandez.

The Argentina international has shown exactly why Todd Boehly spent £106.8m to sign him from Benfica in January with some truly exceptional performances in the heart of midfield.

Despite being on the losing side against Nottingham Forest, Enzo Fernandez has now achieved something no other player in Europe has this season.

What’s the story?

Well, Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked devoid of ideas on Saturday.

However, Fernandez continued to test Nottingham Forest with progressive passes, with one even putting Nicolas Jackson through on goal – only for Joe Worrall to come in with a brilliant challenge.

Now – according to Squawka – the South American is one of just two players in Europe, alongside Joshua Kimmich, to have played over 40 passes into the final third, as well as more than 40 passes into the opposition box, so far this season.

The Bayern Munich No.6 is one of the best midfielders on the planet and has been for years, so it speaks volumes that the Chelsea No.8 is actually outdoing him in both departments.

While both Kimmich and Fernandez have made over 40 forward passes in both areas, the latter has actually played 66 balls into the final third and 47 into the box.

Kimmich – in comparison – has completed 45 passes into the final third, and 41 into the box, so actually, no other player in Europe is as forward thinking as Fernandez when it comes to passing this season.

Chelsea need to help Enzo Fernandez

Clearly, Chelsea have a very special player on their hands in Fernandez, but his immense creativity is not being supported by a clinical frontline.

For whatever reason, Pochettino’s current setup is not getting the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling into goalscoring areas, despite Fernandez’s progressive passes putting the Blues into dangerous positions.

Having said that, a lot is new at Stamford Bridge right now, and it will take some time for everyone to get used to each other out on the pitch.