Enzo Fernandez has heaped praise on Mauricio Pochettino and credited the Argentine for bringing “order and identity” to Chelsea.
Fernandez arrived at Chelsea in January 2023 from Portuguese club Benfica for a then British Record fee of £107m.
The World cup winner made an instant impact as he slotted into a dysfunctional Chelsea side under Graham Potter, but has come under fire for his performances this season.
Fernandez praises Pochettino
The 23-year-old hasn’t looked his normal self on the pitch this season and recently revealed he had been playing through pain and injections for six months.
The Midfielder underwent surgery on a hernia issue after the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal, and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Fernandez is recovering well and is already training on the grass with a ball as he looks set to be fit to take part in the Copa America this summer.
He has been talking about Pochettino and how the 52-year-old has changed things since his arrival last summer, with Fernandez citing how things were very different when he first arrived at the club in 2023.
“When I arrived [in January 2023], it was all hullabaloo, there were many players”, Fernandez told DSports.
“Mauricio gave order and identity to the team, the work ethic is different.
“He changed everything and it is positive, the group is more serious and hard working and you can see the difference on the weekends.”
The Argentina international’s comments reiterate how much of a mess things were at Chelsea last season, and despite struggling at times this campaign things seem so much better at the club.
Fernandez made 40 appearances in his first full season for the Blues, and scored seven goals, with three of those coming in the Premier League.
Some Chelsea fans have written the midfielder off, but it’s clear he loves the club and has immense talent, and a fully fit Fernandez will make a huge difference for the Blues next season.
