Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca clarifies why Enzo Fernandez has lost his place in the starting lineup

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca clarifies why Enzo Fernandez has lost his place in the starting lineup

Evans Ousuru 17:03 - 03.11.2024

The Argentine is yet to convince the Stamford Bridge faithful after his big money move from Benfica.

Star Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez seems to be in a career crossroads after being relegated to the bench in the Blues' last two English Premier League matches.

The Argentine faces a fight to regain his position, especially after the now fit again Romeo Lavia preferred in Enzo Maresca's double-pivot midfield, lining up alongside the undroppable Moises Caicedo.

The 23-year-old made a cameo appearance off the bench in the 2-1 loss against Liverpool while he also saw little action as the Blues beat Newcastle 2-1 last weekend.

Maresca has clarified why the former Benfica man has not been playing lately ahead of the crucial encounter with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday. "The only reason he is not playing is just because the physicality I prefer is from (Moises) Caicedo and Romeo Lavia," Maresca told the Daily Mail. "The noise about Enzo is because clubs pay so much money for them, people expect they will always be the best. That is not so."

The Italian sympthaised with Fernandez as he struggles to live up to the heavy price tag that the Blues paid Benfica for the budding midfielder to trade Portugal for England.

Off-field issues have also played a part in Fernandez's struggles at Chelsea. Just this week, he split from his childhood sweetheart Valentina Cervantes to live on his own despite them having a daughter and son together.

It remains to be seen what his involvement will be against Manchester United although Fernandez has captained Chelsea in the Carabao Cup and Europa Conference League recently.