Even if N’Golo Kante comes back I am not dropping this man; Graham Potter have found Kante replacement
Even if N’Golo Kante comes back I am not dropping this man; Graham Potter have found Kante replacement.
After the display against Leicester City, Enzo Fernandez have claimed the heart of Chelsea coach and he have now stated that he cannot drop Enzo aside for Kante as he is younger, stronger and more energetic.
Enzo Fernandez surveyed the scene ahead of him having received the ball from Wesley Fofana. There were eight outfield players between the Argentine and the goal. There was no way through. Nor any easy way around. Only pure invention would unlock the door for Chelsea.
The 22-year-old obliged – and in some style. Fernandez spotted the movement of Kai Havertz and scooped the ball delicately yet effortlessly over the Leicester defense. Goalkeeper Danny Ward rushed off his line but it was nothing more than a token effort. And it enabled Havertz to cushion his shot over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net with minimal fuss.
Chelsea’s celebrations were muted. Havertz explained why after Chelsea had gone on to secure a 3-1 victory at the King Power Stadium. “With VAR it is hard because I thought I was way offside,” the German said. “I have scored so many goals where I was then offside so I thought for sure they are going to take it back.”
Enzo Fernandez surveyed the scene ahead of him having received the ball from Wesley Fofana. There were eight outfield players between the Argentine and the goal. There was no way through. Nor any easy way around. Only pure invention would unlock the door for Chelsea.
The 22-year-old obliged – and in some style. Fernandez spotted the movement of Kai Havertz and scooped the ball delicately yet effortlessly over the Leicester defense. Goalkeeper Danny Ward rushed off his line but it was nothing more than a token effort. And it enabled Havertz to cushion his shot over the stranded keeper and into the back of the net with minimal fuss.
Chelsea’s celebrations were muted. Havertz explained why after Chelsea had gone on to secure a 3-1 victory at the King Power Stadium. “With VAR it is hard because I thought I was way offside,” the German said. “I have scored so many goals where I was then offside so I thought for sure they are going to take it back.”
“He’s a fantastic player but still a young player,” said Potter on Saturday. “I think he’s going to get better and better when he’s with us more. He’s just arrived in a new country and a new league and players always have to adapt to that. You can see his quality, when he gets the ball he passes forward. He sees everything.”
That there is more to come from Fernandez is a tantalizing prospect for Chelsea supporters. As is the possibility of seeing one World Cup winner line up alongside another in the coming weeks.
N’Golo Kante is back in full Chelsea training and could play some part against Everton on Saturday. The 31-year-old hasn’t featured since the second weekend of the season due to a hamstring injury and, obviously, hasn’t been deployed alongside Fernandez in midfield.
It may be some time until the France international is fully up to speed, but there is a genuine possibility of Fernandez and Kante dovetailing when Chelsea’s Champions League campaign resumes next month. And if the two can form an effective partnership – and both stay fit – all bets are off as to what can be achieved between now and the end of the campaign.
