How Fernandez has Become Key Player for Chelsea

Enzo Fernandez has established himself as one of, if not the, most important players in Chelsea’s attack.

No Chelsea player scored more goals, registered more assists or created more chances than Fernandez in 2025 – not even Cole Palmer, who has struggled with recurring groin issues.

Heading into 2026, Fernandez became the first Chelsea player to reach 10 goals for the season when he opened the scoring from the penalty spot in a 3-2 win away at Napoli. It was a goal which helped his side progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.

The Argentina international will reflect on how he has adapted to life at Stamford Bridge on Saturday when he makes his 150th appearance for the club in their home game against West Ham United.

It has not always been straightforward for Fernandez, who joined Chelsea shortly after being named best young player at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as he helped Argentina lifted the trophy for a third time.

During his first 18 months in west London, he struggled to live up to that reputation. His first manager, Graham Potter, was sacked after failing to manage a bloated squad that could not even fit into the dressing room at the training ground, during a chaotic campaign that ended with Chelsea finishing 12th.

Fernandez then suffered a painful hernia, and his lack of mobility in an infamously physical Premier League was often criticised under Mauricio Pochettino.

Alongside his club commitments, Fernandez has played in an international tournament in every season since joining Chelsea, with regular trips to South America during international breaks also having to be managed.

The 25-year-old has also only recently become confident enough in his English to communicate effectively with team-mates and staff.

The adaptation has been gradual, but Chelsea now appear to have the player they believed they were signing from Benfica in 2023 for what was then a British transfer record fee of £107m.

Fernandez’s future

Fernandez is among a group of players who feel their recent performances should prompt fresh conversations about a new deal.

The midfielder is now represented by a new football agency featuring former Paris Saint-Germain and Argentina player Javier Pastore, alongside established agent Matias Toranzo, following a split from his previous representatives.

Their main task has been to secure Fernandez an improved contract, and they have quickly made their intentions known to the club.

Since their appointment, there have been rumours that European champions PSG are interested, although the midfielder is known to be reluctant to move to the French club. Like almost every Latin player, he is known to admire Real Madrid but they are unlikely to make a move in the near future.

Asked about the speculation last week, boss Liam Rosenior said: “It means nothing to me. When you’re a world-class player, an outstanding player, there is always going to be speculation you cannot control. He has been outstanding in the time I’ve worked with him.”

Chelsea remain relaxed about any potential negotiations and have no intention to sell Fernandez even if there is interest. Fernandez is under contract until 2032, giving the club the option to reject approaches and providing significant leverage in any future renewal talks.

However, Fernandez is important to the club commercially and his image is particularly positive in the Spanish-speaking world, with sponsors often requesting his time in his role as a Chelsea player.

There is also no indication that the speculation or contract situation is affecting his performances. Fernandez recently played through illness – earning further praise from Rosenior – and has shown a willingness to cover for Palmer in the number 10 role or play deeper in midfield, with Romeo Lavia also sidelined.

Having been named vice-captain by former head coach Enzo Maresca, Fernandez’s personality complements the calm, understated demeanour of captain Reece James.

Those who know him describe him as an “aggressive leader” but also a little “loco” (crazy), and he is known to deliver team talks at half-time or around key matches.

Fernandez used Ukrainian performance coach Dima Chapovskyi to help adapt to the physicality of the Premier League, having had just six months in Portugal after leaving his native club River Plate in 2022.

He is also known to be into self-help books, has access to a psychologist and a personal coach that talks him through his clips on the pitch.

Along with Fernandez, fellow midfielder Caicedo and defender Levi Colwill are known to be keen for contract renewal talks, but Chelsea hope to park discussions until the summer with all three players.

What does the data say?

Fernandez made 49 appearances – the third-highest total at Chelsea – with 44 starts and 3,938 minutes played, the second most at the club, across all competitions during an injury‑free 2025.

His 11 goals were the highest in the squad, while his eight assists were joint‑most, underlining his impact whenever he played.

Although Fernandez is Chelsea’s designated penalty taker when Palmer is not on the pitch, he often operates in a deep‑lying midfield role, making those attacking numbers even more impressive.

His 77 chances created from open play also led the way, and he topped the charts for successful passes in the final third across all competitions.

In 2026, Fernandez has contributed four goals and two assists in eight matches, putting him top of the rankings again for Chelsea in the new year.

With 10 goals and four assists in all competitions, only striker Joao Pedro has contributed more – scoring one more goal while registering the same number of assists as Fernandez during the 2025–26 campaign.

It’s also his passing which is a major asset to Chelsea. Only Marcos Senesi (26) and Bruno Guimaraes (24) have made more line-breaking passes into the opposition penalty area than the Chelsea captain (23) in the Premier League this season.

Source: BBC