Chelsea kept their Champions League hopes alive with a crucial 1-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
With many of their attackers unavailable for selection, it was defenders Reece James and Marc Cucurella who combined for the only goal of the game.
Enzo Maresca didn’t have too many options to turn to on his bench on Friday night. Only Romeo Lavia and Malo Gusto were brought on late on to hold on to the narrow victory.
This led to the majority of the starting side playing out the full 90 minutes, including Enzo Fernandez, who partnered Moises Caicedo in midfield.
| Enzo Fernandez vs Manchester United | Table |
| Minutes | 90 |
| Duels won | 3/8 |
| Completed passes | 31/42 |
| Recoveries | 5 |
| Shots | 1 |
The Argentine didn’t enjoy his best game as a Chelsea player, however he worked hard in winning the ball back particularly in the final moments of the game.
Enzo Fernandez says he played in Chelsea vs Manchester United with injury
There may be a reason behind his less impressive performance against the Red Devils, with the midfielder saying on Instagram that he had been suffering with an eye injury throughout the game.
He said on his Instagram: “Last match at home with this group that will give it all until the end, we have two finals left. Thank you to the fans for the support all the season. My first game playing with one eye.”
Fernandez has featured in all but two of Chelsea’s Premier League games so far this season. He has only missed wins against Bournemouth and Wolves due to illness and a knock respectively.
With the gruelling schedule which comes for a South American player in the Premier League too, the Argentine has been extremely reliable for Maresca throughout the campaign.
Fernandez’s teammate thought he could have been Chelsea Player of the Season
The midfielder has clearly been one of the players who has improved the most as a result of Maresca’s hiring as manager of the club.
Despite this, he did not pick up any awards at the club’s end of season ceremony, with Caicedo cleaning up after his own exceptional campaign.
The Ecuador international was quick to point out he could have been beaten to the accolades by a number of his teammates. Caicedo named Fernandez as someone who could have pipped him to the awards.
The Blues will be relying on both of them in the final league game of the season against Nottingham Forest, with them safe in the knowledge that a win will see them return to the Champions League next season.
