- Fernandez says he’s not “100 percent”
- Yet to hit top form since move from Benfica
- Loving life in Premier League
WHAT HAPPENED?
Fernandez believes he is not yet at “100 percent” for Chelsea as looks to find the form that saw him win the World Cup with Argentina in 2022, and land the Best Young Player award at that tournament. However, he is confident it will come as he continues to adapt to life at Chelsea and in the Premier League, having initially been snapped up from Benfica for £106 million ($134m) in January last year.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Despite his hefty price tag, it is not surprising Fernandez has not been at this absolute best since his arrival last January. Chelsea have dropped into the bottom half of the Premier League with a host of other key players also guilty of underperforming, and the 23-year-old had only five months experience of European football with Benfica prior to his switch to the Blues.
WHAT FERNANDEZ SAID
Speaking to the official Chelsea website, Fernandez said: “I’m trying to get there, to the version of me that you saw at the World Cup. I want to feel like that Enzo, that was playing at the World Cup. I want to get back there. I feel good, getting better each day, but I still don’t feel like I’m at 100 per cent. I’m still adapting and still don’t feel entirely myself, but I’m trying to get there as quickly as possible and working hard every day in order to do so.
“Maybe personally I’m still not 100 per cent and don’t feel like I’ve shown my potential, but beyond that I love being at a club as big as Chelsea, enjoying the Premier League every weekend with the fans that are so passionate. I love being here.”
WHAT NEXT FOR FERNANDEZ AND CHELSEA?
Despite it being another largely disappointing season at Stamford Bridge, Fernandez still has a chance of picking up his first piece of silverware with Chelsea this season. Mauricio Pochettino ‘s side face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley next weekend. It would be the perfect location for the World Cup winner to step up and show his worth.