“He’s not pacey enough” -Pat Nevin shares concern about Chelsea star and his position | OneFootball

Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin believes midfielder Enzo Fernandez doesn’t have the pace to be a number ten type of player.

Fernandez has found it difficult to impose himself at Chelsea since joining the club from Benfica for a then British record transfer in January 2023.

He impressed in his first six months and stood out in Graham Potter’s struggling side, and last season despite having some good games, he didn’t particularly live up to expectations, although it was revealed he played the majority of the season with a hernia issue.

Nevin believes Fernandez doesn’t have the pace to be a number ten type player

Fernandez was involved in a racism incident over the summer, which didn’t go down well with his team-mates at the time.

That matter has subsequently been resolved and Maresca made the Argentine part of the leadership group and he’s captained the team on a number of occasions this season.

However, in recent weeks the World Cup winner has lost his place in the side to Romeo Lavia and has been on the bench for the last three Premier League games.

Fernandez has lost his place in the side to Romeo Lavia. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Recent reports have emerged over a possible swap deal with Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, although these are thought to be wide of the mark.

The team appears to have a much better balance with Lavia and Caicedo in midfield, and former Blue Cundy believes Fernandez has got a big problem.

There’s also the question of where to play him and he’s been deployed higher up the pitch almost as a number ten at times, a role which Nevin believes doesn’t suit him.

“It was suggested they thought he was going to be a number ten sort of player,” he told Squawka as cited on X.com.

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“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.”

There are plenty of games and Fernandez will play and start throughout the season but there is a possibility it could become a bigger problem for Chelsea and Maresca if he consistently finds himself on the bench.