90min

Enzo Fernandez's father reveals hope for new role at Chelsea

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is excited to work under Mauricio Pochettino and will ask the head coach to play him higher up the pitch, according to the player's father.

By Sean Walsh

Fernandez is entering his first full season at Chelsea
Fernandez is entering his first full season at Chelsea / Craig Mercer/MB Media/GettyImages
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The father of Enzo Fernandez has revealed that his son wants to play higher up the pitch for Chelsea next season.

Central midfielder Fernandez only moved to Europe from River Plate last summer, signing for Portuguese giants Benfica after nearly joining Wolves.

His performances during the first half of the season had the continent's top sides on alert, and his superb displays in Argentina's 2022 FIFA World Cup triumph confirmed his place as one of the game's top midfield talents.

Chelsea agreed to pay an initial £106.8m to sign the 22-year-old on deadline day of the January transfer window, and though he's shown glimpses of his enormous potential, Fernandez has struggled to consistently string a run of good performances together so far in his career in England.

The Blues sacked Graham Potter in April, with Bruno Saltor taking charge for one game before Frank Lampard returned on a caretaker basis until the end of the season, compounding a chaotic campaign in which Chelsea finished 12th in the Premier League table.

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Mauricio Pochettino will officially take over as head coach on July 1, and speaking to The Chelsea Spot, Fernandez's father revealed his son's fresh optimism ahead of the 2023/24 season.

"Enzo is comfortable, happy, and adjusting to London," Raul Fernandez said.

"He was happy about the arrival of Pochettino. Next season? My son wants to be a champion.

"I think [we will see Enzo play further forward]. He was going to ask [Pochettino] to play further advanced."

90min understands that Chelsea are close to agreeing personal terms with Moises Caicedo, but are still someway off agreeing a fee with Brighton. Should Caicedo arrive, Fernandez may be afforded the licence to roam further forward when playing together.

However, the Blues' midfield department could look far different next season. N'Golo Kante is set to sign for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad, while Mateo Kovacic is in talks with Manchester City and Mason Mount is wanted by Manchester United.

Further up the pitch, Kai Havertz is the subject of interest from Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

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