“He reminds me of Lampard.”
Those were the words of former Chelsea defender William Gallas earlier this year on Blues midfielder Enzo Fernandez.
Fernandez was a British transfer record signing for Chelsea when he joined in a £107million deal in the January transfer window of 2023.
It took him a while to settle into life in the Premier League, but when he did, he established himself as one of the best midfielders in England.
He had won the World Cup with Argentina the summer before arriving in west London and went on to win the Copa America with his country in 2024.
Top honours
The Argentine then won the Conference League with Chelsea last season, scooping the newly revamped Club World Cup with the Blues in the summer too.
It has been a whirlwind couple of seasons and Fernandez is now one of the first names on the teamsheet at Stamford Bridge. He has seven goal involvements in 17 Premier League and Champions League matches this season, having mustered 26 goal involvements in 53 matches in all competitions last year.
It is easy to see why he has been compared with Chelsea legend Lampard. “You have to allow Fernandez to go forward and make late runs,” Gallas continued. “If you give him that freedom, he’ll score a lot of goals. When I look at the areas he operates in, and how he crashes into the box, he is almost like a second striker.”
But those comparisons do not faze him, even at the tender age of 24.
Role change
“I don’t have a favourite position,” said Fernandez in an exclusive interview with GIVEMESPORT.
Fernandez started in the No.10 role in Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Sunday. “I’ll always be available wherever the coach decides he wants me because I just want to play.
“Under previous managers, I was more of a number six. Under Enzo Maresca, I’m playing further forward, so I’m scoring goals and getting assists. It’s a position where I’m on the ball less, but I’m more dangerous in front of goal.
“In terms of where think I can improve, I’d say my shot from outside the box because I feel I have it in the locker, but there’s certainly room for improvement.
“Of course, people can make comparisons, but Frank Lampard is a club legend. He made history here and left his mark on a whole generation. In my opinion, I can’t be compared with him. I have a long way to go to reach his level.
Time to focus
“I’m just focused on my career. Of course, I’ve always watched him closely as a fellow midfielder. He contributed so much to the club’s history and also in terms of trophies. He was such a key player for Chelsea.
“I try to learn from the Chelsea legends. I knew all about what they achieved, so then to see them here was so impactful. I’ve always shown them respect and been courteous without talking too much. I’ve listened to them more than anything and it really left a mark on me when I met them in person.
“I clearly remember Lampard’s time at Chelsea along with John Terry, Claude Makelele and many other players who played here. I’ll always remember those moments because when I was little, I used to watch the Premier League in bed with my father.”
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