Frank Lampard admits he didn’t play 22-year-old Chelsea player in his best position last season

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Frank Lampard doesn’t think he got to play Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez in his best position last season.

Enzo Fernandez, who’s still only 22, has been an ever-present in the Blues line-up since arriving at Stamford Bridge at the turn of the year.

We’ve seen the Argentine star play numerous different positions in midfield. This includes as a deep sitter, a box-to-box player, and even higher as a No 10.

When Frank Lampard took charge at Stamford Bridge as interim manager towards the back end of last season, Fernandez mainly operated at the base of midfield dictating play from deep. Lampard explained last night the main reason behind that was a lack of options to cover in front of the defence as a No 6.

Speaking on Monday Night Football before Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Fulham, Lampard delivered high praise on Fernandez for his individual ability. It was interesting to note he views him more as a No 8 midfielder despite the way he used him in the final months of last season.

“He played deeper for me. It was actually a bit of necessity in a way because we didn’t really have a player in that role in the back end of last season. They’ve obviously since recruited deep-lying No 6’s. I always got the feeling from Enzo that he wanted to be higher, he wanted to contribute in an attacking sense,” Lampard said on Sky Sports’ Main Event channel (7:10pm, 2 October).

“When you get these players in midfield who can play forward, play balls to break lines, he can see a pass and deliver a pass, then you want to give him that little bit more so he can join in. I think it also protects him defensively sometimes being higher.

“He’s a high class player. He’s a young boy, he’s 22 still even though he’s done a lot.

“My question would be as a No 10. Does he want to receive balls with his back to play with people behind him? That is a different skill.”

When asked whether Fernandez suits a No 10, No 8 or No 6 position, Lampard added: “I think Enzo needs to be a player who is making you tick and making you play… My feeling would be for him to be a No 8.”

The way Fernandez played last night against Fulham proves Lampard was spot on!

A reshuffle in the midfield last night from Mauricio Pochettino meant that Conor Gallagher played at the top of the trio in a No 10 pocket, which suited him very well. That allowed Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to operate behind in a midfield pivot.

We certainly saw Fernandez drift into a lot of No 8 pockets against Fulham with the defensive assurance of Caicedo alongside him, so the midfield balance felt spot on yesterday.

Chelsea will get the best from their World Cup winner if he’s getting plenty of the ball in the centre of the park and has a licence to knit attacks together.