Enzo Maresca says Enzo Fernandez's price tag doesn't guarantee him a starting place, as the World Cup winner continues to underwhelm at Chelsea.
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Fernandez bought for £107m in January 2023Failed to impress under four different managersMaresca set to play Caicedo and Lavia against Man UtdFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?
Since his record-breaking British transfer from Benfica almost two years ago, Fernandez has struggled for consistency in a Chelsea shirt, leading to some impatience from the fans. However, Maresca seems to have a slightly different take on the Argentine's form.
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Brought to Chelsea for over £100 million ($130m) a month after winning the 2022 World Cup with Argentina, the pressure was immediately on Fernandez to thrive in Chelsea blue. However, in 74 appearances, he has not been able to string together many notable performances.
After a good start under Graham Potter, Fernandez's form dipped under Frank Lampard and then Mauricio Pochettino last season. Capable of individual moments of brilliance and defence-splitting passes, he has been unable to consistently perform to the highest level, leading some to question whether his price tag was justified.
AFPWHAT MARESCA SAID
Asked about Fernandez's form in the context of how much he cost, Maresca responded: "If you remember, questions were asked about Moi (Moises Caicedo) and the price the club paid for him. That is not an Enzo problem or a Moi problem. Just because the club spent £100m, people expect them to be the best player. It is not about how much you paid.
"At the end of the day, they are human beings and if you pay £100m, that is not my problem. If you want to buy me then you pay money. That does not mean that every game you have to be the best. At the end of the day, they are football players and they cannot always be at the top level."
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Maresca's Chelsea visit Manchester United on Sunday, a game which Fernandez looks set to watch the majority of from the bench. Should they win, they will move into third ahead of high-flying Nottingham Forest and London rivals Arsenal.
