"He Lacks the Pace to Play as Chelsea’s Number 10" — Pat Nevin shares concern about Chelsea star and his position under Maresca's System

Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin has said he doesn’t think Enzo Fernandez has the qualities needed to play as a number 10 for Chelsea. Fernandez, who joined the club for a British record transfer fee from Benfica in January 2023, has had a challenging time settling in at Stamford Bridge.

After showing promise early on, Fernandez’s performances have been inconsistent, and last season, he didn’t quite live up to expectations. It was later revealed that he had been playing with a hernia injury, which likely affected his form.

Since joining Chelsea, Fernandez has faced several challenges. While he impressed in his early months, he has found it difficult to maintain the same level of performance. This has led to doubts about where he fits into Chelsea’s lineup.

Fernandez has had several off-field difficulties, including a racist incident that generated disagreement with his teammates over the summer. However, the matter was rectified, and Fernandez was promoted to Chelsea’s leadership group, where he has even captained the squad on occasion this season.

However, in recent weeks, Fernandez has been benched. Fernandez has not started in Chelsea’s past three Premier League games, and new midfielders like Romeo Lavia have replaced him.

One of the main questions about Fernandez is whether he can play as a number ten, a more attacking role, in Chelsea’s setup. Nevin doesn’t believe Fernandez is suited for this position.

Speaking to Squawka, Nevin said, “It was suggested they thought he was going to be a number ten sort of player. But I can’t see that. He’s not fast enough, and his passing isn’t right for that role. He’s not like Palmer, Felix, or Dewsbury-Hall.”

Nevin’s comments suggest that Fernandez doesn’t have the pace and quick passing needed to excel in a number ten role. He’s more of a deeper midfielder who can control the game but doesn’t have the explosive style needed for an attacking role.

Chelsea’s midfield now looks more balanced with Lavia and Moisés Caicedo playing regularly. These two have brought stability and defensive strength to the team, which has led to Fernandez being left out of the starting lineup. While Fernandez has talent, it seems that Lavia and Caicedo are better suited to Chelsea’s current style of play.

If he continues to be benched, it might become a bigger problem for Fernandez and Chelsea. The club spent a lot of money to sign him, and if he doesn’t end up in the starting lineup, it can be questioned whether he is a suitable fit for the team.

Fernandez is still young, so he has time to make changes. With a few tweaks, he still has the potential to be a valuable member of Chelsea’s team, as he has shown flashes of great talent. Whether he wants to play deeper midfield or as a playmaker higher up the field, he needs to find a position that suits his abilities.

Enzo Fernandez still has potential, but he needs to adapt to Chelsea’s style of play to become a regular starter. His struggles with the number ten role show how difficult it can be for players to adjust when they move to a new club and system.