Fernandez: Record-breaking price tag did not contribute to ´difficult´ Chelsea start

Enzo Fernandez said his start to life at Stamford Bridge was far from ideal, but insisted his record-breaking price tag was not a factor in his early struggles at Chelsea.

Fernandez became the Premier League’s most expensive player when the Blues signed him from Benfica in a reported £106.8million deal on deadline day in January 2023.

Following an impressive first six months at Stamford Bridge, the Argentine then struggled in his first full season, missing 10 games and needing surgery to cure a hernia issue.

Now under his third permanent manager at Chelsea, having outlasted Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino, Fernandez said that he was “not satisfied” with his early displays.

“When I arrived it was very difficult, the first year and a half here: change of coaches, the club wasn’t doing well, personal injuries,” Fernandez told ESPN.

“It didn’t affect me. I tried to take it responsibly, with enjoyment, without pressure. I was not satisfied with what I had been showing, then I got injured, many things happened.

“I tried to move forward, but today I feel very good, as does the team, and we hope to continue on this path.”

Since Enzo Maresca’s arrival at the club, Fernandez has been a player transformed as the Blues look to win their first Premier League title since the 2016-17 season.

Fernandez has notched all seven of his goal involvements (three goals, four assists) in the Premier League this season in his last seven appearances.

In the top-flight this campaign, only Cole Palmer (47) has created more chances for the Blues than Fernandez (26), while the Argentine’s 67 duels that he has won is a total only bettered by Palmer (73) and midfield partner Moises Caicedo (105).

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games (W6 D3), while Fernandez has also been central to their success in the Europa Conference League, notching three assists in two games with the Blues still unbeaten in the competition.

And the 23-year-old has credited new manager Maresca for his personal uptick in performance, saying that Chelsea can achieve “great things” with the Italian at the helm.

“I learned the position in which I had to play,” said Fernandez. “Over time I got the idea of what the coach wanted.

“[Maresca] explained to me what he wanted and I was getting the concept, reading the games.

“On a personal level I have been feeling very good. The team has shown a very strong character, always working with humility and showing that great things can be achieved.

“There is still a long way to go.”