Enzo Fernández Loses Status at Chelsea – Three Consecutive Matches on the Bench in the Premier League and Now Part of Chelsea’s ‘B’ Squad
Chelsea’s record signing, Enzo Fernández, who cost the club €121 million, has seen his status diminished within the team. Coach Maresca has organized the squad into two clear units: the Premier League starters and a secondary unit, primarily fielded in the Conference League and cup matches, which now includes Enzo Fernández.
Though Maresca insists he has no “A” or “B” teams and values all his players, he has demonstrated a preference for a core squad in league matches. Enzo, who captained the team in six of the first seven Premier League games, has recently been benched for key clashes against Liverpool, Newcastle, and Manchester United.
The tactical shift stems more from team dynamics than individual performance. Maresca has decided to build around Cole Palmer in the playmaking role, moving him from the wing to an attacking midfield position. This adjustment has left Enzo out, with a stronger midfield duo, Romeo Lavia and Moisés Caicedo, now favored for their physicality.
While Enzo’s passing statistics have dropped significantly compared to last season, he still remains one of the most insightful players in orchestrating play. Yet, with Palmer as the new “number 10,” Chelsea is leaning towards a more solid double pivot, prioritizing both defensive and ball-handling reliability with Caicedo and Lavia.
Maresca remains optimistic about Enzo’s future contributions: “Right now, Enzo isn’t playing because I opted for the physicality of Caicedo and Lavia. But I have 100% confidence in Enzo; he will still play many matches.” Although Enzo has shone with three assists in Conference League play, reclaiming his former Premier League role seems challenging for now.
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