Chelsea legend Pat Nevin has voiced his concerns over manager Enzo Maresca’s decision to play Enzo Fernandez in the number 10 role, arguing that the Argentina international lacks the necessary pace to thrive in an attacking midfield position.
Fernandez, who was once viewed as one of Chelsea’s brightest signings, seems to have fallen out of favor under Maresca. Despite starting Chelsea’s first seven Premier League games, the midfielder has seen his role diminish in recent fixtures. In the past three league matches, Maresca has preferred to start Romeo Lavia alongside Moises Caicedo, leaving Fernandez on the bench.
Speaking to Squawka, Nevin questioned the wisdom of using Fernandez as a number 10, saying, “It was suggested they thought he was going to be a number ten sort of player. And I can’t see that. He’s not pacey enough, there’s not enough passing for that position. Not in comparison to Palmer, Felix or Dewsbury-Hall, absolutely not.”
Nevin’s critique highlights a growing debate about Fernandez’s best position on the pitch, with many questioning whether he can adapt to an advanced midfield role. Given Chelsea’s heavy investment in the midfielder, the question remains whether Maresca can find a way to get the best out of Fernandez in a more traditional central midfield role.
