It’s been a busy start to the new season for Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez. However, former Blues star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has argued that he may not be fully fit yet.
Enzo Fernandez, 24, is a key player in the Chelsea system, so it’s no surprise that he’s started five out of five across all competitions so far this campaign.
The Argentine midfielder has already made key contributions in the Premier League, scoring two goals and creating one assist in four top-flight matches. However, he couldn’t help inspire Enzo Maresca’s side to a result in midweek as they suffered a 3-1 defeat away to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
| Minutes played | Accurate passes | Total shots | Chances created | Dispossessed | Tackles | Match rating |
| 81 | 17/21 (81%) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6.5 |
Chelsea supporters suggest Fernandez should be dropped for Andrey Santos after watching the respective performances from the two players away to Bayern.
- READ MORE: Marc Cucurella hails Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez for one gift, it’s an underrated part of his game
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink argues Enzo Fernandez isn’t fully fit yet
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink suggests that Chelsea’s Fernandez isn’t fully fit yet because of one thing he saw from him in midweek on the Champions League stage.
The box-to-box midfielder wasted a great opportunity to put the Blues in front during the early stages of the match against Bayern, opting for an extra touch inside the penalty box during a slick Chelsea move. In his post-match analysis, Hasselbaink explained it is a sign he’s still improving his fitness because he usually would have buried the chance first time.
Hasselbaink said on BBC’s Champions League Match of the Day: “Enzo, this is where his strength is. Why does he not take this the first hit? For me, that is only one thing. That is, he’s not 100 per cent fit yet. That is in the mind and in the body. A good Enzo will take the first touch, and it is in the back of the net.”
According to Marc Cucurella, Chelsea teammate Fernandez has a “striker’s instinct” inside the penalty box. Well, it certainly let him down at the Allianz Arena.
We would reach the same conclusion that Fernandez isn’t fully fit yet, even if our method is a little different from Hasselbaink’s. From what we’ve seen in the opening games of the season, the South American star has looked somewhat leggy and has dipped from the high standards he set last term.
Andrey Santos is knocking on the door
It will be interesting to see who starts in central midfield when Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the Premier League this Saturday.
Of course, Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are the go-to pairing in the centre of the park. However, they’ve both had very busy starts to the season.
Santos, 21, must be raring to go as he continues to wait for his first start of the campaign. The Brazil international has looked impressive off the bench in several cameos, including against Bayern, so perhaps the Man Utd fixture is the perfect chance to start him.
Ramires has backed Santos to become a key figure over time at Chelsea, but the hardest part may be breaking into the starting line-up.
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