Like every attacking/progressive midfielder you need cover from DM/DM's and defenders. Brilliantly drilled and experienced sides usually do this very well. Best example to me is Italy's side that won the Euro's few years back. They covered Jorginho who then had the pleasure of running the show with some space and time and did it brilliantly.

Unlike Jorginho Enzo is a bit faster and has the eye for the goal and has a great passing range. This is why his price was so steep. I am sure someone would have couped him up for 90-120m a bit later. The club decided we will heavily invest on Enzo. To me that investment looks fine.

He is naturally not finished article yet, far from it. And the group around him are not there yet either. Not sure if some of them are staying beyond him.

I love his character on the field and are always excited to see him start. I actually back these youngsters and genuinely hope they do well (not sure who wouldn't want that) and are invested in them. Like with the coach I have patience and are willing to see the arc of the story where time and experience does its work and we see these lads reach the levels that were invested in them. Not all investments will work out as we know but I think Enzo will.

About to enter his 4th season with the club and we're still saying he isn't the finished article and we're waiting on his potential and he needs a DM to unlock said potential 😐 This is Utd's Pogba.

Edited June 23, 20251 yr by Ukraine Bolt

1 hour ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

About to enter his 4th season with the club and we're still saying he isn't the finished article and we're waiting on his potential and he needs a DM to unlock said potential 😐 This is Utd's Pogba.

I wouldn't have any issue with Enzo if it wasn't for the fact that he was made captain and somehow became undroppable. He's not rubbish, he's just not that great at anything and goes missing in too many games. That's not a captain. I was watching the highlights of our first game in the club world cup, and commentary made comparisons with Lampard, I rolled my eyes. He should be sharing his position next season, but you just know that Maresca will play him in every game.

There seems to be this whole thing about making this guy seems better than he actually is, and I am certain it's because he is from Argentina. If his name was David Davidson from Stoke, I genuinely don't believe he would be hyped up as much as he is.

Edited June 23, 20251 yr by Scott Harris

1 minute ago, Scott Harris said:

I wouldn't have any issue with Enzo if it wasn't for the fact that he was made captain and somehow became undroppable. He's not rubbish, he's just not that great at anything and goes missing in too many games. That's not a captain. I was watching the highlights of our first game in the club world cup, and commentary made comparisons with Lampard, I rolled my eyes. He should be sharing his position next season, but you just know that Maresca will play him in every game.

There seems to be this whole thing about making this guy seems better than he actually is, and I am certain it's because he is from Argentina. If his name was David Davidson from Stoke, I genuinely don't believe he would be hyped up as much as he is.

I agree 100%. There are sections of the fan base that tries to gas light that he's one of the best midfielders in the world. I honestly don't think he gets into our best XI.

14 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I agree 100%. There are sections of the fan base that tries to gas light that he's one of the best midfielders in the world. I honestly don't think he gets into our best XI.

Agree! I don’t see where you fit him in a 4-2-3-1; you sit him in a 2 and we can’t control games, he isn’t a “10” and it would mean shafting Palmer to RW where he won’t work under Maresca’s system.

I reckon Maresca knows he doesn’t work in 2 and he is trying to see if he can be effective as a “10”.

2 hours ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

I agree 100%. There are sections of the fan base that tries to gas light that he's one of the best midfielders in the world. I honestly don't think he gets into our best XI.

As much as I like Enzo it is pretty clear he doesn't fit this team. This role he is playing is more out of necessity than how he should actually be used.

I think he would suit a team like Pool or City way more.

2 hours ago, ducavis said:

Agree! I don’t see where you fit him in a 4-2-3-1; you sit him in a 2 and we can’t control games, he isn’t a “10” and it would mean shafting Palmer to RW where he won’t work under Maresca’s system.

I reckon Maresca knows he doesn’t work in 2 and he is trying to see if he can be effective as a “10”.

I think the fact he’s never settled into a role is what’s halting the player he could potentially be.

He was an attacking mid at River.

A deep lying midfielder at Benfica, under Potter, and WC winning Argentina.

An attacking mid under Poch and Maresca, and now post WC winning Argentina.

On 23/06/2025 at 16:08, Ukraine Bolt said:

About to enter his 4th season with the club and we're still saying he isn't the finished article and we're waiting on his potential and he needs a DM to unlock said potential 😐 This is Utd's Pogba.

Enzo's also 24. Pogba joined Utd back and played from age 25-29.

Which player especially in midfield is the finished article at 24? Even Lampard didn't begin his late runs at 24yrs old

6 hours ago, Deino said:

Enzo's also 24. Pogba joined Utd back and played from age 25-29.

Which player especially in midfield is the finished article at 24? Even Lampard didn't begin his late runs at 24yrs old

That's a good point.

Most of our squad are probably 3+ seasons off their actual peak, so I guess we should all be a bit more patient. Not their fault that the hierarchy have gutted the squad of the experience that would aid their development either, or given them a Championship level manager to "improve" them.

We can only hope that Fernandez puts in the extra time after hours on the training ground that helped Lampard hone his talent, as opposed to the current optics of barber shops, tattoo parlours and night clubs.

Edited June 25, 20251 yr by Sexyfootball

From what I can tell from this tournament, is that Enzo is actually pretty decent in hot weather conditions (probably because he's used to it) and actually thrives when the team are playing at a quicker tempo. Even when he's not so quick himself, he still manages to keep up when the tempo is high. The part I see him mostly struggle with is when teams step up on us, we slow down and start recycling possession. He either disappears from the game, or he loses the ball a lot. It feels like this with a lot of our players. They all seem to look better off when they are given a bit of freedom, but Maresca won't allow it.

If Enzo does ever move to Spain, I actually think there is a chance he will do pretty well over there.

Edited July 5, 20251 yr by Scott Harris

He’d absolutely smash it in Spain

2 hours ago, Scott Harris said:

From what I can tell from this tournament, is that Enzo is actually pretty decent in hot weather conditions (probably because he's used to it) and actually thrives when the team are playing at a quicker tempo. Even when he's not so quick himself, he still manages to keep up when the tempo is high. The part I see him mostly struggle with is when teams step up on us, we slow down and start recycling possession. He either disappears from the game, or he loses the ball a lot. It feels like this with a lot of our players. They all seem to look better off when they are given a bit of freedom, but Maresca won't allow it.

If Enzo does ever move to Spain, I actually think there is a chance he will do pretty well over there.

We need to get a roof and some leccy heaters for the bridge.

Enzo Fernandez

World Cup Champion

Club World Cup Champion

He gives it all. Great player and world champion in every front. That doesn’t just happen by chance.

Can we play all of our games in these conditions? The guy is made for it. Was excellent throughout the tournament.

Two time World Champion for Club and Country.

https://share.google/Y83KLYQZqSw4OokyI

35 minutes ago, Deino said:

https://share.google/Y83KLYQZqSw4OokyI

Hopefully he talks about his early experiences with the incoming new kids, it can only help them to adjust and settle in.

Edited July 14, 20251 yr by Valerie

One of my favs.

Yes, we paid too much for him, but he is a little fighter, and is decent enough on the ball. Leaves it all out there every time, and fights for the shirt. The Argentinian Dennis Wise.

Looks so much better without the defensive responsibility, should be in the 10 with a pivot behind him going forward

Perpetually linked with Real Madrid, and have to think he'd fit in well there. I'd prefer we keep him - big part of the future at this club, and would leave us a little short with Caicedo (yes, Santos can do it, but needs time in PL; Lavia has not demonstrated he can be depended on to be available; Essugo a bit of an unknown).

Just spotted he had a Green Bay Packers jersey on in NY. Due a lifetime contract and 0 criticism allowed against him anymore. What a boy.

Don't shoot the messenger and take it with a HUGE pinch of salt but a lot of places reporting him giving the green light on a move to Madrid. Kroos and Modric gone and £130M deal rumoured.

I don't think the club would entertain it but we do seem to be moving quickly on Xavi Simons. Could be more to it with A.Santos now back too.

41 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Don't shoot the messenger and take it with a HUGE pinch of salt but a lot of places reporting him giving the green light on a move to Madrid. Kroos and Modric gone and £130M deal rumoured.

I don't think the club would entertain it but we do seem to be moving quickly on Xavi Simons. Could be more to it with A.Santos now back too.

Wouldn't surprise me, but I would hope he could at least see out one more year here.

I don't see how Enzo plays regularly if we sign Simons though.