Enzo Maresca has explained the recent exclusion of Enzo Fernandez from the starting line-up, following the player’s split from his long-time partner, Valentina Cervantes, with whom he has two children.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been relegated to the bench during Chelsea’s last two Premier League outings against Liverpool and Newcastle.
Fernandez has faced criticism since joining Chelsea from Benfica for a record-breaking £107 million in 2023.
However, manager Maresca expressed empathy for Fernandez, acknowledging the added pressure stemming from his hefty price tag, exacerbated by the upheaval in his personal affairs.
“There is no issue with Enzo,” Maresca clarified. “The expectations surrounding his £107 million transfer can be overwhelming, but we must remember that they are human beings.
“If a club is willing to pay such an amount, that’s their responsibility, not the player’s. Being the best every game is an unrealistic expectation. At the moment, Enzo isn’t playing, but that isn’t indicative of any problems. It’s simply the physicality I prefer from (Moises) Caicedo and Romeo Lavia that comes into play here.”
Fernandez, who captained Chelsea in the season’s early weeks, has seen his role diminished as Caicedo and Lavia have established themselves as Maresca’s preferred midfield duo.
Recently, he has featured mainly in the Carabao Cup and Europa Conference League, making brief appearances from the bench in the league.
His recent personal turmoil, following his breakup with Cervantes, has undoubtedly contributed to his current struggles.
The couple, who have shared a journey from Argentina to Portugal before both relocating to London for Fernandez’s Chelsea move, announced their separation earlier this week.
