Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has admitted he is encouraging Enzo Fernandez to get into the opposition penalty area more often in order to be more of a goal threat.
The Argentine midfielder was Chelsea’s match-winner at a wet and windy Leicester City, assisting Nicolas Jackson’s opener 15 minutes from time. sealing the three points with an own goal at the end of the second half.
Fernandez has not been assured of a starting spot this season, competing with Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia for one of Chelsea’s two central midfielders, but has claimed a more regular place with a man of the match role.
The goal was Fernández’s eighth Chelsea colors and the first in 16 appearances this season, prompting Maresca to reveal after the game that he is trying to alter the 23-year-old’s role to get him further up the pitch.
“Today, I thought, was the right game to use Enzo, even if he came back (late) from international duty. I think he did very well,” said Maresca.
“I’m trying to convince Enzo (to play) the same way I did last year with Ndidi and Kiernan, that the attacking midfielders have to get into the box. The reason he scored today is because was within the area.
“And, if he had been outside the area, he would not have scored the goal. We’re happy with the way Enzo is doing.”
Fernández’s outstanding performance was complemented by another strong performance from Jackson in front The Senegalese international now has ten goal contributions to his name from 12 Premier League appearances this season – seven goals and three assists – and was once again crucial to Chelsea’s fluid forward play.
“I’m doing very well. I’ve said it many times, since we started, he’s working a lot with the ball and off the ball. He’s making an effort to understand how we want to play,” remarked Maresca. Jackson.
“Sometimes we use him almost as a midfielder, dropping. Sometimes we use him attacking from the back. If you remember Brighton, or even today. It depends on the game plan.
“We are very happy with the way Nico plays on the ball, but mostly because of the way he plays off the ball, the way he presses. At the moment, we are very happy and we are sure that it will get better game after game.”
