Enzo Fernandez exclusive inverview: Chelsea midfielder thriving in new role under Enzo Maresca and eyeing trophies | Football News happymamay

Only Mohamed Salah has more goals and assists than Enzo Fernandes in the last six weeks in the Premier League. But he is more interested in collectivism. His reaction when the numbers were put to him shows why Enzo Maresca sees him as a leader.

“I’m not very interested in statistics,” Fernandez says. Sky Sports. “Of course, I like to score. I like to get assists. But the priority is always the team and what the coach wants. If the team wins, I will go home happier with that than with scoring or providing an assist.”

Fortunately for Chelsea, both things are happening. They will face Everton on Sunday after a run of eight consecutive victories in all competitions. The gap with Premier League leaders Liverpool was cut to two points and Fernandes was a starter, scoring three goals and four assists in six matches.

“I’m very happy with the way things are going. I’ve worked a lot for it. It’s a feeling that every player wants. I’m happy with my performance but even more so with the team’s performance, which is the most important thing.” I will continue to work to help my teammates.

From losing his place in the Chelsea team in October to being one of the top performers in the Premier League two months later, there has been some transformation. Maresca described the 23-year-old, a World Cup winner with Argentina, as an “example” to his team-mates in his reaction to his exclusion.

“I have gone through a lot of difficult moments in my career,” Fernandez says. “I knew that through hard work and humility, I would be able to get back to feeling the way I wanted.

“I always tried to be with the group and support whoever was playing. Even when I’m not playing, I always try to train the same way, to support the team every game, any minute I get, and to be available and ready when I need it.

“I stayed strong in my mind and worked with humility, supporting my teammates and the coaching staff. I wanted to keep learning and be open to possibilities. I hope I can set an example for the group, said Enzo. Now it’s about continuing in the same way.”

Having had to carry a £107m price tag since his arrival from Benfica two years ago, Fernandes has also embraced a new position, adapting to the tactical demands of operating further forward having previously been used at the base of midfield.

He looks like a player who has been liberated since the change, and his attacking abilities have changed. Fernandes’ numbers for passes into the opposition half, shots and chances have risen significantly, and his elite vision now helps open up defences.

“I will always do whatever the coach asks me to do,” he says. “In whatever position I am asked to play, I will give the best version of myself and work for the team.

“At the moment, I am asked to play near the penalty area, with the opportunity to score or help my teammates. It is a beautiful thing and I love this position very much.”

However, it is not a purely attacking role. Along with Moises Caicedo, he is also expected to protect Chelsea’s defence. “It’s an attacking position when it’s time to attack, but when it’s time to defend, I have to get back to Moy’s side to close the space between the lines.”

Maresca said his decision to drop Fernandes in favor of Romeu Lavia was due to his lack of fitness but he responded on that front too, using his weeks out of the team to work on his intensity off the ball. Tracking data shows he’s running farther and running more.

“It’s a demanding role, especially in the Premier League where football is more direct. I’ve worked a lot to be at the right level physically. I’m really happy with that side of things.”

Every day we understand each other more. He is an exceptional player. I hope to share many years with him on the field

The mention of Caicedo brings a smile. They are clearly close to the stadium and on it as well. “Sharing the pitch with Moy is unbelievable. I often insisted that he came to Chelsea when the club went to sign him. Now he is here, you can see he is not an ordinary player.”

“He’s a great person too and brings a lot to us as a team and as a teammate. We get along very well. Every day we understand each other more. He’s an exceptional player. I hope to share a lot.” Years with him on the pitch here at Chelsea.”

The passage of play that led to Chelsea’s second goal in last weekend’s Chelsea win over Brentford showed how they complement each other, with Caicedo collecting the ball and then feeding his midfield partner to free Nicholas Jackson with a perfectly weighted pass.

Fernandez gives a great review of Cole Palmer as well.

“Cole has shown that he is a very good player but he also works hard every day to get where he is today. No one knows what he will be able to achieve in football but I believe in him and trust that he will achieve anything he puts his mind to.” “His mind because he has unbelievable quality.”

For me and the club, the goal is to win every tournament we play in. This is Chelsea history

However, it is Maresca who is inspiring optimism around Chelsea this season. “We only spent a few months with him, but from the beginning he was very clear when it was time to work and when it was time to convey his idea of ​​football, and the same goes for his coaching staff,” says Fernandes. “We completely understood his plan.”

Maresca immediately showed faith in Fernandes, making him captain in the absence of the injured Reece James in August, despite him making headlines for the wrong reasons in Argentina that summer. “I was more than grateful,” he says.

He describes wearing the armband as “a very beautiful thing” and praises Mariska’s direct communication. “He is very honest, always on top, and that has helped the group a lot. You can see that we are very happy and that is thanks to him and his staff.”

Maresca has played down Chelsea’s title chances despite their strong start to the season and Fernandes is sending a similar message – although his ambitions are clear.

“There is still a lot to do. We are just going from weekend to weekend. I don’t want to set a goal that might not be necessary now. But of course, as a player, I always dreamed of giving a great performance.” Winning the Premier League would be a dream for all of us.

“For me and the club, the goal is to win every tournament we play in. This is Chelsea’s history. The club’s history represents that.”

Of course, Fernandes has already lifted the biggest trophy of all, playing a crucial role in Argentina’s success at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022. But his appetite for more silverware is clear.

“Winning the World Cup was amazing for a young guy,” he says. He added, “But I never felt that this was enough. In my mind, I was always thinking about striving to achieve more. I hope to achieve more.”

With Enzo Fernandes at the helm, Chelsea will hope to achieve the same.

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