"Best player on the pitch", "Simply unplayable at the moment" - Fans hail Chelsea star after 5-1 win over Southampton
Fans have taken to social media to hail Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez for his brilliant performance in their 5-1 win over Southampton. The Blues visited St. Mary's Stadium on December 4 and left with all three points, maintaining their position in the top four on the Premier League table.
Easily one of the best players on the night, Fernandez was the dynamo in the Blues' midfield. He orchestrated the game well, making 74 passes and creating three chances. He also notably created the first goal of the game, finding an unmarked Axel Disasi with a brilliantly-taken corner.
Fernandez has been on a rather remarkable run of form in recent games. Since the start of November, he has scored two goals and provided six assists in just six games across the Premier League and Europa Conference League.
Fans have noticed his wonderful performances, and they have taken to X to praise him.
"Enzo Fernandez best player on the pitch" a fan claimed.
"Enzo Fernandez is simply unplayable at the moment 💙" another admitted.
"Enzo Fernandez is so vital to this team man." a third added.
"Enzo Fernandez lightssss out. That pass to Nkunku was slick too," a fan highlighted a moment in the game.
"Felix, Noni, Nkunku and Palmer were really wasteful today. Should have run riot today against Southampton. Best player on the pitch was Enzo Fernandez." another analyzed.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca shares insight into Enzo Fernandez's run of form
After Chelsea's 3-0 win over Aston Villa on December 1, Enzo Maresca spoke about Enzo Fernandez's brilliant run of form. The midfielder has racked up eight goal contributions in six games so far, making him crucial to the Blues' attack.
Speaking about Fernandez's transformation from a deep-lying role to a more attacking role, the Chelsea boss said (via football.london):
"Exactly. For most times, he was in those positions, inside the box. We didn't contact with him in the action when we scored. It is very difficult to score goals from outside of the box.
"Usually all the goals happen from inside the box, so we need the two wingers, the No.9 inside the box. We need players inside the box to try and score goals."
With Fernandez getting in on the attack more often and regularly contributing to Chelsea's goals, he looks set to continue in his advanced role. This season, he has scored two goals and provided three assists in 13 Premier League games, already matching his league goal contribution tally of last season.