Mauricio Pochettino asserts that he has not made any changes to Enzo Fernandez’s role in Chelsea’s team, despite a notable improvement in the Argentine’s performance. Throughout the season, Fernandez’s impact has faced scrutiny, with accusations that Pochettino’s utilization of the 23-year-old contributed to Chelsea’s struggles, highlighted by instances of him being caught too high on the pitch.
However, in recent weeks, Fernandez’s influence has undergone a positive transformation. Not only has he become more involved in Chelsea’s build-up play, but he has also showcased a goal-scoring prowess, finding the net four times in 2024 already.
When questioned about the perceived alteration in Fernandez’s role, Pochettino denied making any specific changes. Instead, he emphasized that Fernandez is now physically fit to contribute at both ends of the field.
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Pochettino explained, “Sometimes interpretations differ. I don’t believe that Enzo is now playing in a deeper position. We always believed in his ability to contribute to our build-up play, utilizing his quality, and then advancing into the opposing box with the potential to score.”
Highlighting Fernandez’s improved movement and fitness, Pochettino noted, “He has made significant progress in his ability to move and run on the pitch. This is why we can now see him participating in the build-up from the back while also scoring goals, such as the one against Palace in the last minute. After 90 minutes, he covered approximately 60 or 70 meters. His ability to move on the pitch is improving a lot.”
Pochettino attributed this improvement to time, stating, “Initially, before our arrival, he was more static and confined to a specific position without covering much space. He possesses the capability to be a box-to-box player, scoring goals due to his technical skills. Additionally, he helps the team in building from the back and retrieving the ball when the opponent presses.”
In addition to Fernandez, Pochettino is also focusing on the development of winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been benched recently due to his performances not meeting the required standards. Pochettino sees this as part of Mudryk’s evolution and stresses the importance of managing such situations for young players to mature and improve. He views it as a significant challenge for the coaching staff to guide players like Mudryk to reach their full potential.