Jamie Carragher was left seriously impressed by what he saw from Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez on Sunday against Liverpool.
When giving a detailed breakdown of Enzo Fernandez’s performance at the weekend, Carragher even compared the Chelsea midfielder to Premier League greats such as Steven Gerrard, Paul Scholes and Patrick Vieira.
The 22-year-old Blues star kickstarted the Premier League campaign with an eye-catching display in the 1-1 draw at home to Liverpool.
Sky Sports pundit Carragher really liked Fernandz’s midfield display in the Premier League opener.
It must take a lot for him to make a comparison to Liverpool great Steven Gerrard, who’s one of the finest all-round midfielders to play in the English top flight. Incidentally, the comparison was made after a superb pass in the centre of the park.
When discussing Fernandez on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football (7:20pm, 14 August), Carragher said: “He was the best player on the pitch by a long way. We are talking about number sixes costing over £100 million. Enzo Fernandez started that craze.
“He is between the lines, almost in a number 10 position so straight away when I was watching I was thinking something is different, he’s in a different role.
“What he does now, he looks over his shoulder and knows the ball is there and passes it in. What it reminded me off was the great midfield players, and I go back to Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira, they whip it round the corner and then they are away. He has played the ball with quality and then makes that forward run, and that’s what the absolute top midfield players do.
“Chelsea haven’t bought a number six. Chelsea have bought the real deal who looks like on the evidence of yesterday, I know it’s one game, but one of the top midfielders in the country, if he’s not already.”
Fernandez stood out in moments during the second half of last season after joining in January, but it was a tough introduction for any new signing during a turbulent time on and off the pitch.
The Argentina international reminded everyone yesterday against Liverpool why he cost a then-British transfer record of £106.8million (Sky Sports).
Speaking via the club’s official website, Conor Gallagher called Fernandez “brilliant” after playing alongside him in Chelsea’s midfield against Liverpool.
It’s been highlighted by many that the South American midfielder played slightly higher up the pitch in a more recognised box-to-box role, which did enable him to show more of his qualities on the ball.
If he wants to keep earning more comparisons as a Gerrard-esque player, he’ll need to contribute with more goals and be that driving force in the midfield.
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