TRANSFER OPINION: Chelsea’s ‘secret weapon’ to unlock Enzo Fernandez as £26m transfer alternative found
Chelsea and Mauricio Pochettino must address three important positions in the summer, as well as devise exit routes for huge portions of their increasingly fatigued team.
Many of the present bunch had already checked out, both psychologically and physically, long before the 1-0 loss to Manchester City.
To compete with the juggernaut sweeping all before them next season, they will need to replace more than 15 players this summer while also making the appropriate signings.
Despite spending more than £550 million in a 12-month period, the club has failed to fix the core of the team, leaving it exposed, frail, and weak.
There will be no such missteps this summer under Pochettino.
With his demanding but also cutthroat ways of squad development, the Argentine will be looking for a new goalkeeper, defensive midfielder, and striker.
Even with a slew of returning loan stars, there remain gaps that are unlikely to be filled.
Prior to the arrival of Enzo Fernandez on deadline day over five months ago, there had been nearly four years since a permanent signing in midfield, let alone as a midfield pillar.
For so long, Chelsea’s history with destroyer midfielders had been positive, with Nemanja Matic, Claude Makelele, and even the presence of Michael Essien in a box-to-box role.
However, they have failed to totally replace Matic.
It is something that has seen Fernandez pigeon-holed into a role that is not best suited to his diverse skill set, causing him problems with ball progression, impact, and creativity.
He’s done a fantastic job nevertheless, but the 22-year-old has a lot more potential if paired with the appropriate type of man next to him.
Chelsea is considering Romeo Lavia, Declan Rice, Manuel Ugarte, and Moises Caicedo, among others, ahead of the summer.
Most had also been monitored in advance of this season. Denis Zakaria’s loan addition solved very little, and they’re back to square one.
Despite the loss against City, Lampard lauded the midfield, saying: “I liked midfield.
“I thought Ruben [Loftus-Cheek] was really good, level of game to come in and show those lovely attributes he’s got, you can see he moves with the ball.
“Enzo’s attitude was great, across the back, I know we made a mistake for the goal but once we got to grips with the problems between the lines, and we went in and stayed in.”
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TRANSFER OPINION: Chelsea’s ‘secret weapon’ to unlock Enzo Fernandez as £26m transfer alternative found