Enzo Fernandez Reveals Chelsea Chaos, Credits Pochettino for Turnaround

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has opened up about the turbulent state of the club when he arrived in a record-breaking €121 million transfer from Benfica in January 2023. In an interview with DSports, the 23-year-old Argentine revealed he encountered a team in disarray, lacking direction and identity. "When I arrived, it was quite a mess, there were many players," Fernandez said.

However, Fernandez credits the arrival of manager Mauricio Pochettino last summer with bringing much-needed structure and cohesion to the squad. "Mauricio gave order and an identity to the team. The work ethic is different," Fernandez explained. "He changed everything and it is positive, the group is more serious and hard working and you can see the difference on the weekends."

Fernandez also revealed his personal struggles with a groin injury that plagued him for eight months. The midfielder admitted to playing through pain and taking injections to manage the discomfort before ultimately deciding to undergo surgery. "I was playing with pain and injections for eight months, I had to make the decision to have surgery, it was the best," Fernandez said. "I was harming the team and didn't want to expose myself."

Despite the injury setback, Fernandez has begun training on the pitch again and is optimistic about his recovery. He expressed his eagerness to return to action and represent Argentina in the upcoming Copa America this summer. "I'm fine, people can relax. I'm evolving day by day, and I'm eager for the Copa America to arrive," Fernandez assured fans. "I've already started training on the pitch, the recovery is advanced, and I hope to be training with the national team soon."

In his debut season at Chelsea, Fernandez made 40 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals, despite playing through injury for much of the campaign. His last match was the 5-0 defeat to Arsenal on April 23 before undergoing surgery. Chelsea currently sits in 7th place in the Premier League table with two matches remaining.

Fernandez's revelations shed light on the transformative impact Pochettino has had in stabilizing Chelsea after a tumultuous period. The young midfielder's determination to play through pain also highlights the challenges many footballers face in managing injuries while striving to contribute to their team's success. As Fernandez continues his rehabilitation, Chelsea will hope to have their record signing back to full fitness and playing a key role in Pochettino's new era at Stamford Bridge.

Key Takeaways

• Enzo Fernandez says Chelsea was in disarray when he arrived in January 2023.
• Fernandez credits Mauricio Pochettino with bringing structure and identity to the team.
• Fernandez played through pain for 8 months before undergoing groin surgery.
• He's begun training on the pitch again and is eager to play in the Copa America.
• Fernandez made 40 appearances for Chelsea despite playing through injury.