Enzo Maresca has stayed loyal to a lot of his starting players in the Premier League so far this season.
The likes of Nicolas Jackson, Levi Colwill and Moises Caicedo have started every game so far in that competition, as well as superstar Cole Palmer.
The England international has had to play through the pain barrier due to his importance to the side. Palmer was seen limping after Chelsea’s draw with Arsenal before the international break.
One position where there has been change is in the middle of midfield, with Romeo Lavia establishing himself as a starter alongside Caicedo.
Enzo Fernandez given golden chance to lock down Chelsea place
This has seen Enzo Fernandez have to drop to the bench, instead earning his minutes in the cup competitions of late.
Three assists in 45 minutes suggested the Conference League was below Fernandez, although the pairing that were starting in the Premier League had impressed in big games.
Lavia had to withdraw from international duty due to injury, likely frustrating for Chelsea after they had managed his return from a long-term absence well.
Assuming Fernandez returns from international duty unscathed, it is likely he is back in the starting line-up when they return to Premier League action against Leicester City.
There is no doubting the World Cup winner’s class. Andy Townsend has previously described Fernandez as ‘gifted’.
Now or never for ‘gifted’ Fernandez
However, there will be a number of supporters who are still waiting to see the best of a player the club spent more than £100m on nearly two years ago.
He has a nice history at the King Power Stadium, putting in a man of the match performance in what ended up being a rare win at the backend of the 2022/23 season.
It is now or never for Fernandez to prove he should be an undroppable member of his side, and he has just been gifted the perfect opportunity to lock that place down.
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