Enzo Maresca has reaffirmed his trust in Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez after explaining the reasons behind the Argentina international’s recent omission from the starting lineup.
Fernandez, a £106 million signing from Benfica, began the season as a key player, captaining the team and starting six of the first seven matches, missing only the 1-0 victory over Bournemouth due to illness. However, he has recently found himself on the bench for Premier League games against Liverpool and Newcastle, with his only starts coming in the Europa Conference League and Carabao Cup.
Maresca has rotated his squad frequently, especially in cup competitions, as he has established a consistent starting XI in the Premier League. Since returning from a hamstring injury, Romeo Lavia has become a vital part of the midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
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“First of all, it’s about balance,” Maresca explained during a press conference on Friday, discussing his midfield choices. “At the moment, Romeo and Moises provide us with physicality and strength in the center. That’s why we opted for Malo [Gusto] in the pocket.”
Despite dropping Fernandez, Maresca emphasized that he does not categorize players into an ‘A or B team,’ insisting that Fernandez remains an integral part of his plans moving forward.
“I don’t show frustration specifically with Enzo; I show it with all of them,” Maresca stated. “I still trust Enzo completely. There’s no reason to lose confidence in him. His absence from the Premier League lineup is simply a tactical decision, but I have 100% faith in him.
“I like to emphasize that we don’t have an A team or B team. We have fantastic players, but none are indispensable. For example, if Cole [Palmer] isn’t playing, we have Joao [Felix], and if Nico [Jackson] isn’t on the pitch, we can rely on Christo [Christopher Nkunku].
“The reasons for changing players are straightforward: everyone is good. Some may stand out more than others, but it doesn’t mean they will always be the ones to play. Enzo isn’t in the lineup right now, but we have plenty of games ahead, and that doesn’t mean he won’t feature in the future.”