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‘Very important’: Enzo Fernandez names Chelsea cult hero as huge influence on his career

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Enzo Fernandez has claimed in an interview with Chelsea that Hernan Crespo has had a huge influence on his career so far.

The 22-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge for a club-record fee on deadline day last month, after fierce negotiations with Benfica lasted the majority of January.

The midfielder has enjoyed a sensational rise to the top of the game, after moving to Europe less than a year ago from Argentina.

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Fast forward to now, he is a World Cup winner, as well as being highlighted for his performance with the young player of the tournament award.

He has claimed in an interview with a club that his meteoric rise is partly down to former Chelsea man Crespo, who coached him back in Argentina.

Fernandez praises Crespo

He said: “It was right after the pandemic came to an end. That was a unique experience. He [Crespo] is a very special person. He’s always tried to support me, and I learnt a lot from him and his technical staff.

“He was my coach for four to five months until Sebastian Beccacece arrived, with whom we became champions of La Recopa. He was a very important person, a great coach, although a bit crazy, as I used to tell him. But I learnt a lot from both of them, and I feel grateful for everything they’ve given me when I was in Defensa y Justicia.”

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His fellow Argentine developed somewhat of a cult hero status at Stamford Bridge, scoring some important goals despite never being first choice.

Fernandez will be hopeful he can build on a promising start at his new club in the coming weeks.

His sensational assist for Joao Felix against West Ham showed exactly what he can do, and fans will be excited to see plenty more of that in the near future.