Enzo Maresca has claimed he still has trust in Enzo Fernandez but revealed why the Argentine hasn’t been playing in the Premier League recently.
Fernandez certainly divides opinion amongst Chelsea fans and he’s yet to fully establish himself as a key member of the first team.
The World Cup winner has plenty of ability but several Chelsea managers have struggled to find the right position for him and get the right balance when he’s in the side.
Maresca reveals why Fernandez isn’t playing in the Premier League
Chelsea shelled out over £100m to Benfica for Fernandez off the back of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but he’s recently been linked with a swap deal involving Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni.
The Argentine made a good start to life at Stamford Bridge in his first six months as he stood out in Graham Potter’s struggling side, but last season under Mauricio Pochettino he did struggle, despite having some good games although it was later revealed he had been playing through a hernia issue for the majority of the season.
Fernandez was involved in a racism incident over the summer, but was named amongst the leadership group by Maresca and has captained the side this season in the absence of Reece James.
However, despite starting the season in the side, Fernandez has lost his place in recent weeks and Maresca appeared to show his frustration with the midfielder during Wednesday night’s defeat to Newcastle.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game against Manchester United Maresca revealed why the Argentina international hadn’t been playing in the league recently.
“I show frustration with Enzo? I show frustration will all of them,” he told his pre-match press conference.
“Don’t only look at Enzo. I still trust Enzo. There is not any reason I can lose confidence in him. The reason he is not playing in the Premier League is because I take another decision but I have 100% confidence in him.”
Fernandez will likely find himself back on the bench this weekend, but with so many games coming up he will get his opportunity, but he needs to grab it with both hands.
