Chelsea’s Fernández calls for patience amid inconsistency،
Enzo Fernández has called for patience as Chelsea deal with the influx of new players last year and praised manager Mauricio Pochettino for his personality.
In an exclusive interview with ESPN Argentina, Fernández said he and his teammates are doing everything they can to find more consistency. Chelsea have signed 25 players at a combined cost of more than 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control, of which the Argentina international accounted for 121 million euros , a British record transfer amount.
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“We need time, it's a process with a lot of new players,” said the midfielder. “The group came together this year, it’s not easy to quickly find a good way to play.
“But we are doing everything we can to find this style as quickly as possible.”
Fernández, 23, added that he appreciated Pochettino's approach to man management amid the team's struggles this year, and that he supports the work he is doing in complicated circumstances, even if he is not among the top four in the Premier League.
“The daily life with Pochettino is really good, he is very close to the players,” Fernández said.
“He is very human and gives us a lot of confidence and ease when it comes to playing.”
Enzo also described the west London club's season as “turbulent” and added that the team will do everything possible to finish the season in the Champions League places, while continuing to challenge for the Cup Carabao and the FA Cup.
The Carabao Cup semi-final second leg between Chelsea and Middlesbrough takes place on January 23, with the Championship side leading the tie 1-0.
“Every competition we play in is important,” Fernández said. “Chelsea is a very big institution that thrives on victories and competitions. It is important to reach the final and win it.
After a difficult initial adaptation period, Fernández now feels more comfortable in London.
“Personally, the first months were difficult for me: the language, the culture, the weather, it was difficult,” he said.
“Now that 2024 is starting, things are better, I’m very happy.”
Fernández praised his midfield partner Moisés Caicedo, who joined Brighton and Hove Albion last summer for £115 million ($146 million), a British record fee.
“Me [Caicedo] and I built a strong bond,” he said.
“We have excellent relationships off the field, and when it comes to playing, the communication is different: we know that with just a glance we understand each other.”
Chelsea's next match is on Friday in the FA Cup, when they face Aston Villa and Fernandez's compatriot Emiliano Martínez.
“It’s a big deal,” Fernández said of the match against the goalkeeper. “With Chelsea he is still growing, I don’t know what he has against us.
“It’s going to be special to play against Dibu [Martinez]”.
