Enzo Fernandez joined Chelsea in January for a record fee of £107 million, making him the Premier League most expensive player of all time after just six months of European football with Benfica.
The World Cup winner has made only three appearances for Graham Potter’s side and has already shown why Chelsea paid just huge transfer fees to sign him from Benfica.
Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has admitted that Enzo Fernandez will be a hit at Chelsea after watching him in his first three appearances for the blues and also added that he remands him of Chelsea icon Cesc Fabregas.
What did Gianfranco Zola say about Chelsea record signing Enzo Fernandez?
The Italian said on SkySports: “I was very impressed with Enzo against West Ham. He has replaced a player who I have a lot of respect for in Jorginho.
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“I respect him not only as a player but as a leader; he had a big contribution at Chelsea. I am sorry to see him go, but Enzo looks very good. I was so impressed with his qualities.
“The speed of mind when he’s playing reminds me of Cesc Fabregas. Cesc was unbelievable. Before he got the ball, he knew where it had to go, and within seconds it was dispatched exactly where he wanted.
“Enzo has similar qualities and has a lot of physicality as well. I’m impressed with him, he can be a really important player for us.”
Zola has also insisted that the Chelsea owners should give Graham Potter more time at Chelsea despite the team’s struggles.
Chelsea finds themselves 10th in the Premier League and are have won twice in their last 14 matches in all competitions. They are now 10 points below 4th place Newcastle United.
He said: Graham is a very qualified coach; he’s done well in different leagues, so hopefully, he can do well at Chelsea.
“It’s a different scenario for him, and he will have to adapt. But it’s worth having faith and giving him time, I think.
“I can understand it’s difficult at the moment because he has a lot of young players – good, young players – but still young that are adapting from different leagues.
“It’s not easy for them, and it is not easy for the manager. But unfortunately, the requirements at Chelsea are now different; they’ve been so successful in recent years, so the standards and the requirements are higher now.
“We all know how Roman Abramovich did things, but this is a new era. They are trying to establish a new mentality and a new way.
“I feel for Graham because I know what it’s like to have too many players, it’s not easy to coach everyone and create a good atmosphere. It’s a tough job for him right now.”
The Blues hope to turn their season around when they host Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
