believes can thrive in a more advanced role for next season.
The Argentina international became the most expensive player in history when
Having excelled in central midfield during Argentina’s World Cup success, the 22-year-old was deployed in a double pivot by Graham Potter,
But the Chelsea interim boss sees Fernandez excelling further up the pitch next season.
‘My personal view with Enzo is that he can probably play in all the midfield roles, but seeing him train and play, I get the feeling from him that he has more to offer than as a single No 6,’ Lampard said. ‘He can play as a double No 6 or as a No 8 where he can join into the game more.
‘I haven’t actually asked him that question (his best role). In my time here, it’s just been a fact that he is the most natural No 6 in a midfield that doesn’t have many natural No 6s.
‘Fair play to him, he’s never once said to me, ‘That’s not for me’. His attitude is to do the best for the team, but going forward I think he can join into the game a lot more. We saw bits of it against Manchester City where he played in a double No 6 slightly higher up the pitch, and he’s got a really good eye to play forward.
‘That’s something we as a club have not been doing enough in my opinion: playing forward and being more direct higher up the pitch, finding passes that really test the opposition. Enzo can play that pass, so playing higher up the pitch is good for him.’
While many of Chelsea’s January additions have struggled to hit the ground running, Fernandez has started every game since making his debut in February with Lampard convinced he will have a huge role to play in Chelsea’s success going forward.
‘He gets what’s required in training. He gets what’s required to be a Chelsea player. He’s got a high talent.
‘Some players just get it. I keep talking about giving players time. But when you work with someone, you understand it very quickly, and I think he gets it.
‘I’ve been really impressed with him as a player, his attitude to training, his attitude to games, his determination. There is something about him. He doesn’t speak the language much at all but he’s learning fast. I’ve got a lot of faith that Enzo will be a big part of what happens in the future of this club.
‘I feel for him a little bit. He’s had a massive move to the Premier League. He’s won the World Cup. He should be sitting back at the end of this season quite rightly putting his feet up and saying: ‘What a year.’ But in terms of how he can affect the future, I see him as being essential to the future.’
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