Enzo Fernandez smiles on the point out of his 92nd-minute winner towards West Ham final Saturday. One other spotlight in a season of many. It was aim quantity 11 of the marketing campaign and simply the newest to return from a run into the field paying homage to Frank Lampard.
The 25-year-old has undergone a metamorphosis from deep-lying playmaker to Lampard-like goalscorer at Chelsea. And it seems he has been doing his homework on a membership legend who briefly acted as his head coach between Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
“He’s an inspiration,” he tells Sky Sports activities. “I’ve watched a lot of videos of Frank since coming to Chelsea. I’ve seen how he got into those last metres of the pitch and how he got into the box.”
Now Fernandez is doing it himself. In actual fact, he has an precisely equal variety of targets as Lampard from his first 151 appearances, with 27, all of them scored with the identical Chelsea shirt quantity on his again.
“Through the time he was our coach, I did not play on this place, I performed additional again, so I could not speak to him a lot about it. However I have been watching and studying from his movies since I got here to the membership.
“He was an exceptional player and a legend here for Chelsea. I don’t like to be compared to him, because he has achieved a lot more here than I have. He’s an idol. I hope to follow in his footsteps at Chelsea.”
Clearly, there’s a lengthy strategy to go to match Lampard’s achievements. However Fernandez has packed so much into his three years. These 151 appearances and 27 targets. But additionally 5 head coaches, two trophy wins, and a gradual justification of his £107m price-tag.
It’s by no means boring at Chelsea and whereas his excellent performances this season have prompted rumours of curiosity from Actual Madrid, Fernandez, now vice-captain, and a frontrunner on and off the pitch, doesn’t sound like a participant in any sort of hurry to maneuver on.
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Fernandez scored a dramatic winner within the 3-2 victory over West Ham
“I’m grateful for the three years I’ve had at the club,” he says. “It’s gone from worse to better. Being here today makes me very happy.
“I need to hold profitable issues with the membership, as a result of that is what this shirt calls for. I am very related to the membership and I really feel superb, so I hope to win much more trophies right here.”
He will not be adding the Carabao Cup to his haul after Chelsea’s semi-final defeat to Arsenal. “Clearly there’s anger at not with the ability to play in one other last for Chelsea, however I am happy with the staff for giving the whole lot over the 2 video games,” he says.
There is, though, still plenty to play for this season.
Chelsea are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and vying to finish as high as possible in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s visit to Wolves.
Few gamers can have an even bigger position than their World Cup-winning midfielder in the way it all seems. Fernandez has contributed extra targets and assists than another Chelsea participant because the begin of final yr and was described this week as among the best gamers within the Premier League by Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Carragher.
“I want to thank him publicly for saying those words about me,” says Fernandez. “I’m grateful to hear it from a legend like him.”
His gratitude extends to the membership and its followers for serving to him overcome the struggles that adopted his arrival from Benfica.
“I give 100 per cent every day, in every training session. Every time I have the opportunity to defend Chelsea and wear the shirt, I give my best, because they put their faith in me.
“I need to give that again to them on the pitch. Clearly, now I see and I really feel that I’m doing properly. I additionally need to thank the Chelsea followers, who at all times present me their love. I really feel very near them.”
Carragher’s analysis of Fernandez focused on his goalscoring. “He is among the finest box-crashers we see within the Premier League, completely getting on the tip of issues,” he mentioned.
It’s a expertise modelled on Lampard however one Fernandez is now honing below new head coach Liam Rosenior. “He’s a great coach,” he says. “He only arrived a month ago but he’s showing all his potential.
“Soccer would not provide you with time. It solely needs outcomes. That is what it’s. However he’s managing to get outcomes and he provides us quite a lot of confidence, so we’re very glad that he is with us. We have all felt how we’re rising, each as a bunch and me on a private degree.”
Fernandez is being encouraged to act on his attacking instincts. Opta’s advanced data shows he has made more runs making him an option for a cross than any other Premier League player this season and Rosenior is asking for more of the same.
“I’ve enjoyed being able to add goals and assists to my game,” he says. “The coach gives me freedom. He gives me freedom to express myself in the last few metres of the pitch and I’ve been feeling good.
“Now we have a recreation plan for every recreation and it is what Liam asks for. He provides us freedom within the last third and I attempt to get there, into the field, so my team-mates have an alternative choice.
“It’s something I have worked on in training. But the most important thing, I think, is also being in a good condition physically to get into those last few metres in the box, because I play in midfield and I have to get up and down a lot in my position.
“I really feel ready for that now. I put together myself for these moments.”
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Watch a few of Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior’s memorable moments towards Arsenal
He admits he discovered it troublesome to satisfy the Premier League’s bodily calls for initially. Rosenior’s predecessor Enzo Maresca cited physicality after dropping him for Romeo Lavia early final season.
However his enchancment is obvious. Fernandez has performed extra minutes than any of his Chelsea team-mates this season and ranks among the many Premier League’s high 15 gamers for distance coated.
“I’ve been trying for a long time to feel this way, to be as competitive as I am now,” he says. “Consistency is very important. I’m giving 100 per cent every day, in every training session, in every match, and I think that leads to great results.”
Fernandez has proven his versatility for Chelsea this season
Fernandez is the proof. He’s in fact an excellent technical participant, above all, however he now relishes the rising physicality of English soccer, with its emphasis on duels and set-pieces most not too long ago showcased in Tuesday’s recreation towards Arsenal.
“I like it. For me, the Premier League today is the best league in the world, so the physical level is exhausting. But I enjoy it. I think it’s very important to be prepared to play every three days at this level.”
Fernandez tries to make himself accessible to his team-mates in addition to his head coach in his position as vice-captain behind Reece James.
It’s clear that management comes naturally to him.
Fernandez battles for the ball with Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber
“It’s about being available for the group, for my team-mates, and, in this case, for the new coach, and supporting them every day,” he explains. “There have been a lot of changes, so it’s also about asking my team-mates how they are, how they are feeling with the coach.
“I feel the human facet of main is essential. Sharing with my team-mates, on and off the pitch, is essential to me. I at all times attempt to help them and be with them. In the event that they need assistance, recommendation, or anything, I’m at all times accessible to assist.”
There isn’t any doubting Fernandez helps now, as a frontrunner, as a goalscorer and as among the best gamers within the Premier League, decided to drive Chelsea in the direction of additional success.
Observe Chelsea’s Premier League assembly with Wolves at 3pm on Saturday throughout Sky Sports activities digital platforms from 1.30pm; watch free match highlights from 5.15pm
