6 hours ago, dkw said:

On another day against a decent side we allow more chances through the middle. Even a shockingly bad west were able to wander through at will at times.

I don't think it's fair to pin that on Enzo himself especially when he's usually amongst the top when it comes to distance covered and sprints for us.

The role Maresca asks Enzo to play will naturally leave the midfield open and Caicedo by himself when hit on the break, there's no way to avoid that and it must be seen as a calculated risk. If Santos is used the same way going forward he will also face the same problem.

I was calling for Enzo to be dropped last night, I thought he did alright. He was playing against one of the least mobile midfields I’ve see though so context.

The goal was put on a plate for him but he got in there so fair play.

He is a different profile to our other midfielders so he has a place in the squad but he can only be used IMO in certain games. Horses for courses. In most Prem games we need more legs in the middle.

Would he be happy being a squad player? A rather expensive one at that. I have said before if Real offer £130m I’d snap their arm off.

2 hours ago, Remodez said:

I don't think it's fair to pin that on Enzo himself especially when he's usually amongst the top when it comes to distance covered and sprints for us.

The role Maresca asks Enzo to play will naturally leave the midfield open and Caicedo by himself when hit on the break, there's no way to avoid that and it must be seen as a calculated risk. If Santos is used the same way going forward he will also face the same problem.

distance covered and sprints aren't defensive attributes, he makes Jorginho look strong defensively.

Class player and now has the privilege of being my new profile pic.

11 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

distance covered and sprints aren't defensive attributes, he makes Jorginho look strong defensively.

If you told Santos to play the same Enzo role he will probably win few more tackles but the underlying issues are still going to be there. Unless you have a Kante it’s pretty hard to avoid.

This is why we tend to look more secure with Lavia and Caicedo cause neither are being told to go hang out on the right wing.

20 hours ago, PhilH930 said:

Serious question, where do you see his position? I don’t think he’s ideal in a two man pivot, but think in a 3 man mid he’s a great no.8.

In current system he could be the 10, but there are three I’d pick ahead of him there (Palmer, Pedro, Estevao).

Either a 10 or the point of a midfield 3, he needs 2 behind but im not sure hes good enough to be given that position in our team ahead of others (not Palmer, he has to play right).

14 hours ago, Remodez said:

I don't think it's fair to pin that on Enzo himself especially when he's usually amongst the top when it comes to distance covered and sprints for us.

The role Maresca asks Enzo to play will naturally leave the midfield open and Caicedo by himself when hit on the break, there's no way to avoid that and it must be seen as a calculated risk. If Santos is used the same way going forward he will also face the same problem.

I think it is partially down to the formation, no argument here. But it is also down to him not being positionally aware enough, he seems to constantly be rushing to pick someone up, the distance he covers is mostly a scramble.

10 minutes ago, Remodez said:

If you told Santos to play the same Enzo role he will probably win few more tackles but the underlying issues are still going to be there. Unless you have a Kante it’s pretty hard to avoid.

This is why we tend to look more secure with Lavia and Caicedo cause neither are being told to go hang out on the right wing.

Play a proper pivot, Enzo is too passive to do that.

If we are playing 2 strikers then Enzo can’t be one of the midfield 2 unless you are seriously risking it.

Appreciate Maresca for finally adapting with Pedro+Delap but it’s got to be a Lavia/Santos partnering Caicedo against more competent opposition.

4 hours ago, timetowaste said:

Class player and now has the privilege of being my new profile pic.

And mine…..

On 23/08/2025 at 21:27, timetowaste said:

Class player and now has the privilege of being my new profile pic.

Enzo will know himself that he has now got serious competition for his place. I don’t doubt he’ll rise to that challenge.

It’s up to the players not playing to force their way into the team because they will all get decent minutes.

If I was a betting man I’d predict he’ll be the first big sale north of £80 million we do under Clearlake. Probably after the World Cup. I really like him as a player and he was one of the few players who didn’t hide after Xmas last season.

His price tag will forever haunt him here. More favoured players like Palmer are talked about in terms of what he’s great at. Enzo is talked about in terms of what he’s bad at. sh*t happens of course but he’s a far better player for Chelsea than some give him credit for.

Like it or not but he’s a very important player in the team.

17 hours ago, dkw said:

I think it is partially down to the formation, no argument here. But it is also down to him not being positionally aware enough, he seems to constantly be rushing to pick someone up, the distance he covers is mostly a scramble.

Good spot. I haven't quite worked out what it is that I don't like about his defensive work, because on the surface he seems to have a lot of energy but manages to somehow also be second to ever contest.

2 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Good spot. I haven't quite worked out what it is that I don't like about his defensive work, because on the surface he seems to have a lot of energy but manages to somehow also be second to ever contest.

At times he is just lost defensively, that is fine if you are athletic but if you are not, you can't recover.

Enzo Fernandez to me gets a bit too much stick here. He is far from perfect but he brings something to the team that no one else does. His passing is probably the best in the side alongside with Cole and he has learned to crash the box also in the last season and he's done it successfully.

His limitations are pretty clear: lack of pace and lack of defensive awareness/tackling.

His heavy fee will hang over him naturally which comes with the job but I don't see him personally suffering of it. He can't do anything with that so why bother.

He is also one of the natural leaders of the group. Wish he learned English pretty quick so he could communicate even better with everyone. Never heard him speak English.

Anyway he is the type of player I like and I hope he develops into a player that is always in the consideration for team of the season.

2 minutes ago, evissy said:

Enzo Fernandez to me gets a bit too much stick here. He is far from perfect but he brings something to the team that no one else does. His passing is probably the best in the side alongside with Cole and he has learned to crash the box also in the last season and he's done it successfully.

His limitations are pretty clear: lack of pace and lack of defensive awareness/tackling.

His heavy fee will hang over him naturally which comes with the job but I don't see him personally suffering of it. He can't do anything with that so why bother.

He is also one of the natural leaders of the group. Wish he learned English pretty quick so he could communicate even better with everyone. Never heard him speak English.

Anyway he is the type of player I like and I hope he develops into a player that is always in the consideration for team of the season.

I think it's his passing that has really been letting him down. He does have the ability to make a great pass but he seems to give the ball away more than anyone. Have lost count in some games where we have possession, it goes to Fernandez and then we lose it.

But you're right - he is one of the natural leaders and maybe that's what is getting him in the side - especially with James minutes being managed as they are.

6 hours ago, SydneyChelsea said:

Good spot. I haven't quite worked out what it is that I don't like about his defensive work, because on the surface he seems to have a lot of energy but manages to somehow also be second to ever contest.

He's all energy because its always a scramble getting to his man. Compare this to Caicedo, he instinctively is in position so doesn't need to.

On 23/08/2025 at 14:35, PhilH930 said:

Serious question, where do you see his position? I don’t think he’s ideal in a two man pivot, but think in a 3 man mid he’s a great no.8.

In current system he could be the 10, but there are three I’d pick ahead of him there (Palmer, Pedro, Estevao).

The bench is his best position as it lets more mobile players play. Think the club need to start exploring ways out for him with PSG and Real who are realistically the only clubs that could afford him. Never convinced me sadly and we were taken to the cleaners over his transfer fee.

2 hours ago, Nibs said:

I think it's his passing that has really been letting him down. He does have the ability to make a great pass but he seems to give the ball away more than anyone. Have lost count in some games where we have possession, it goes to Fernandez and then we lose it.

But you're right - he is one of the natural leaders and maybe that's what is getting him in the side - especially with James minutes being managed as they are.

His passing is okay if he has all the space and time to make it. Sadly it usually takes 4 touches to get the ball under control and out from under his feet.

Said previously - he is the Argentinian Dennis Wise.

Good technically. Quick enough (without being lightning) and able to cover ground. Runs himself into the ground. Care and fights for the cause. Contributes goals.

Not perfect - but for me, he is a better version of Connor Gallagher.

Paid too much - but a good little player.

On 23/08/2025 at 21:27, timetowaste said:

Class player and now has the privilege of being my new profile pic.

Perhaps the most overrated player in our squad. 100m for an Argentinian KDH and pound for pound a worse contributer to this team than Jackson.

Maresca likes him and plays him in most games. Real Madrid would be happy to pay a large sum for him.

All good to me, He plays he's better than average he's valuable.

We have worse situations.

He's a "nice to have".

Edited August 25, 2025Aug 25 by OneTommyLangley

Enzo,Assist and a Goal, yea he ain’t worth his shirt😱😱😱

30 G/A this calendar year already! Lampardesque numbers!

Dogsh*t today, a corner and a penalty dont disguise how bad he was.

3 minutes ago, dkw said:

Dogsh*t today, a corner and a penalty dont disguise how bad he was.

🤮 Heres another bait master! 🎣