Enzo Fernández

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Enzo Fernández
Enzo Fernández WC2022.jpg
Fernández with Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Personal information
Full name Enzo Jeremías Fernández[1]
Date of birth (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 (age 22)
Place of birth San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder[3]
Club information
Current team
 Chelsea
Number 5
Youth career
2005–2006 Club La Recova
2006–2019 River Plate
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019–2022 River Plate 40 (10)
2020–2021 → Defensa y Justicia (loan) 14 (0)
2022–2023 Benfica 17 (1)
2023– Chelsea 1 (0)
International career‡
2019 Argentina U18 2 (0)
2022– Argentina 10 (1)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2022 Qatar
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:41, 3 February 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 22:06, 18 December 2022 (UTC)

Enzo Jeremías Fernández (born 17 January 2001) is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Premier League club Chelsea and the Argentina national team.

As an academy graduate of River Plate, Fernández made his first-team debut for the club in 2019, before spending two seasons on loan with Defensa y Justicia. There, he enjoyed a successful campaign which culminated in him winning the Copa Sudamericana and Recopa Sudamericana, before returning to River Plate in 2021. Following his return, Fernández established himself as an integral player for the club, and won the 2021 Argentine Primera División. He joined Portuguese Primeira Liga side Benfica in the summer of 2022. Having played only six months for Benfica, he was purchased by Premier League club Chelsea in January 2023 for a British-record transfer fee.

Fernández represented his country at under-18 level, before making his senior international debut in 2022. He was chosen for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring one goal during the competition, and won the tournament's Young Player Award as Argentina captured their third title.

Club career

River Plate

Early career

Born in San Martín, Buenos Aires, to Raúl and Marta; Fernández has four brothers, Seba, Rodri, Maxi and Gonza.[4] He was introduced to football at a young age, playing for a local side called Club La Recova, before joining River Plate in 2006, aged five.[4][5] After thirteen years spent progressing through the ranks, Fernández was promoted into the club's first-team by manager Marcelo Gallardo on 27 January 2019, in a 3–1 home loss to Patronato in the Primera División, despite remaining on the bench.[2] He made his first-team debut on 4 March 2020, replacing Santiago Sosa in the 75th minute of a 3–0 loss to L.D.U. Quito in the Copa Libertadores.[2] In the weeks prior, he scored once, in the 6–1 thrashing of Libertad, in four games at the 2020 U-20 Copa Libertadores in Paraguay.[2]

2020–21: Loan to Defensa y Justicia

Despite being sporadically used Fernández's manager advised him to leave the club on loan, in order to continue his development.[6] In August, Fernández was loaned to fellow top-flight club Defensa y Justicia.[2][7] He made his debut for the Halcón on 18 September by manager Hernán Crespo in a 3–0 win over Delfín in the Copa Libertadores.[2][8] Despite initially not being a starter, his performances impressed his manager and eventually he earned a place in the team, helping the club win the 2020 Copa Sudamericana, starting in the 3–0 win over fellow Argentinian side Lanús in the final, winning his first career title.[6]

2021–22: First-team breakthrough

After impressing on loan, Fernández returned to River Plate, during the season at the request of manager Marcelo Gallardo, making his return on 15 July 2021, in the first leg of Copa Libertadores round-of-16, featuring in the 1–1 home draw to fellow Argentinian side Argentinos Juniors.[6] He immediately became a starter and on 14 August, he scored his first goal for the club and provided an assist in a 2–0 win over Vélez Sarsfield in the Primera División.[6] On 20 December, he agreed to a contract extension to 2025.[9] Following a promising start in the 2022 season, which he scored eight goals and provided six assists in 19 games, Fernández was named the best active footballer in Argentina, being subsequently scouted by a number of established European teams.[6][10][11][12]

Benfica

Fernández with Benfica in 2022

On 23 June 2022, River Plate reached an agreement with Primeira Liga team Benfica for the transfer of Fernández for a €10 million fee for 75% of his economic rights plus €8 million in add-ons, but with the player remaining at River Plate until the end of the club's Copa Libertadores campaign.[13][14] Following River Plate's round of 16 exit from the Copa Libertadores, on 14 July, Benfica confirmed the deal,[15] being given the number 13 shirt, previously worn by club legend Eusébio.[16]

He made his debut for the club on 2 August, scoring his first goal for the club, a half-volley from outside the penalty area, in a 4–1 home win over Midtjylland in the first leg of the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. He then scored in Benfica's next matches: a 4–0 home win over Arouca in the Primeira Liga, and a 3–1 away win over Midtjylland in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.[17] His impressive performances continued throughout the month and following a run of five consecutive wins and three clean sheets, he was named the Primeira Liga's Midfielder of the Month,[18] a feat which was repeated for the months of October and November.[19] He was linked with a move to Chelsea in the January 2023 transfer window, and the club was adamant he wouldn't be sold for less than his €121m release clause.[20][21]

Chelsea

Chelsea purchased Fernández for a package worth £106.8 million after a final agreement was reached on 31 January 2023, between the two clubs. He signed an eight-and-a-half-year contract, valid until 2031.[22] Negotiations lasted for more than ten hours and were led by Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali. The fee paid by Chelsea is now a British-record transfer deal, and Benfica received an initial £30 million installment which will be followed by five further payments.[23][24]

He made his debut in the Premier League at home against Fulham and played 90 minutes.[25]

International career

On 24 July 2019, Fernández was selected by the Argentina U18s manager Esteban Solari to represent his nation at the 2019 COTIF Tournament in Spain.[4][26] On 3 November 2021, he was called up by Argentina national team manager Lionel Scaloni for two 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay.[6] He made his senior team debut on 24 September 2022, by coming on as a 64th-minute substitute for Leandro Paredes in a 3–0 win against Honduras.[27]

On 11 November, he was named in Argentina's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[28] After coming on for Guido Rodríguez in the 57th minute, on 26 November, Fernández scored his first international goal, closing Argentina's 2–0 group stage win against Mexico.[29] In doing so, he became the second youngest player ever (only behind Lionel Messi) to score a World Cup goal for Argentina at 21 years, ten months and thirteen days old.[30] On 3 December, he achieved a rather not so famous record, becoming the youngest own goal scorer in the history of Argentina in the FIFA World Cup, in the round of sixteen match against Australia, when his attempt to block Craig Goodwin's shot deflected into his team's net as Argentina beat Australia 2–1.[31] After defeating Croatia 3–0 in the semi-final, Fernández played in the final against France, where Argentina won the World Cup by a score of 4–2 on penalties.[32] He was named the best young player of the tournament.[33]

Style of play

During his career, Fernández has been deployed in a deep-seated playmaking role as a central midfielder, responsible for breaking up play, dictating the tempo and recycling possession, although he is also capable of playing in a more advanced role as an attacking midfielder. He usually makes quick short passes, accurate long passes, and lobbed balls. He is very combative in his midfield duels, protects the space and his backline efficiently, he possesses a good passing range, excellent vision and high levels of accuracy, which is very purposeful in his midfield actions and can dribble into dangerous territory or out of it to devastating effect. He thrives in receiving the ball in tight spaces and is very press-resistant due to his low sense of gravity, balance and flexibility in his body movements. He excels at quick short passes, passing to break lines or to play through attackers running to space, but also passing in the means of keeping possession to move around and tire opposition shapes. Fernández excels out of possession, always looking to get into the right positions to stop of opposition attacks, disrupting moves, whilst also being in the right place at the right time to intercept passes. In addition, he is a good dribbler and can move the ball forward either through his passing. He prefers operating centrally but can sometimes be seen in the left half-space usually in a partnership with Florentino Luís.[34][35][36][37][38][39]

Personal life

Fernández is named after three-time Copa América winner and former River Plate player Enzo Francescoli, due to his father Raúl's fascination with the Uruguayan footballer.[5]

Fernández is married to fellow Argentine Valentina Cervantes, with whom he has a daughter, born in 2020.[40]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 3 February 2023[2][41]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
River Plate 2019–20[2] Argentine Primera División 0 0 0 0 — 1[c] 0 — 1 0
2021[2] Argentine Primera División 20 2 0 0 — 3[c] 0 1[d] 0 24 2
2022[2] Argentine Primera División 20 8 0 0 — 6[c] 2 0 0 26 10
Total 40 10 0 0 0 0 10 2 1 0 51 12
Defensa y Justicia (loan) 2020–21[2] Argentine Primera División 4[nb 1] 0 2 0 1 0 10[e] 1 — 17 1
2021[2] Argentine Primera División 10 0 0 0 — 4[c] 0 2[f] 0 16 0
Total 14 0 2 0 1 0 14 1 2 0 33 1
Benfica 2022–23[2] Primeira Liga 17 1 3 1 0 0 9[g] 2 — 29 4
Chelsea 2022–23[2] Premier League 1 0 — — 0 0 — 1 0
Career total 72 11 5 1 1 0 33 5 3 0 114 17
  1. ^ Includes Copa Argentina, Taça de Portugal
  2. ^ Includes Copa de la Liga Profesional
  3. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores
  4. ^ Appearance in Trofeo de Campeones
  5. ^ Four appearances in Copa Libertadores, six appearances and one goal in Copa Sudamericana
  6. ^ Appearances in Recopa Sudamericana
  7. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

As of match played 18 December 2022[2]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Argentina 2022 10 1
Total 10 1
As of match played 18 December 2022
Scores and results list Argentina's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Fernández goal[42]
List of international goals scored by Enzo Fernández
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 November 2022 Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail, Qatar 5  Mexico 2–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup

Honours

Defensa y Justicia

River Plate

Argentina

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ Soccerway counts Copa de la Liga Profesional appearances as league appearances.

References

  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Argentina (ARG)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 1. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Argentina – E. Fernández". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Enzo Fernández". World Football. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  4. ^ a b c Sargazazu, Rubén. "Enzo Fernández: 'En River tenés que tener una actitud mental ganadora'". River Plate. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b Uria, Maximiliano (26 September 2020). "Enzo Fernández, el juvenil de River que brilla en la Copa Libertadores para Defensa y Justicia". Clarín. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Enzo Fernández: o "herdeiro" de Francescoli que convence rapidamente". Mais Futebol. 23 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  7. ^ "Fernández: "Esta oportunidad que me da Defensa es muy importante"". Vavel. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Copa Libertadores. Enzo Fernández: la joya del semillero de River que se lució en Defensa y Justicia". La Nación. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Enzo Fernández renewed until 2025 with a million-dollar clause". ole.com.ar. 20 December 2021.
  10. ^ "Enzo Fernández, con el ADN de River, despierta interés en Europa". 11 April 2022.
  11. ^ "Reportagem: Tales Torraga – Na mira do Real e da Argentina para a Copa: Quem é o novo craque do River".
  12. ^ "Enzo Fernández, el que hace jugar y gritar a River". 24 April 2022.
  13. ^ "Oficial: Benfica tem princípio de acordo por Enzo Fernández". MaisFutebol (in Portuguese). 23 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  14. ^ "Agora é oficial e com moldes diferentes do esperado: Benfica com 'princípio de acordo' para contratar Enzo Fernández". Observador (in Portuguese). 23 June 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  15. ^ "Enzo Fernández is a Benfica player!". S.L. Benfica. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Eusébio 'Ajudou' Enzo Fernández A Escolher O Número". A Bola (in Portuguese). 14 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Enzo Fernández e o hygge à Benfica". Tribuna Expresso (in Portuguese). 9 August 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  18. ^ "Melhores de agosto: Enzo Fernández é o Médio do Mês da Liga Portugal bwin" (in Portuguese). Liga Portugal. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
  19. ^ "Melhores de outubro/novembro: Enzo distinguido com o Prémio VITO Médio do Mês da Liga Portugal bwin" (in Portuguese). Liga Portugal. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  20. ^ "Chelsea plan renewed push to sign Enzo Fernández from Benfica". the Guardian. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea sign midfielder in £106.8m British-record transfer deal from Benfica". Sky Sports. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  22. ^ "Chelsea transfer news: Fernandez transfers to Chelsea". www.chelseafc.com. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  23. ^ "Chelsea sign Benfica's Fernandez for record fee". ESPN.com. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  24. ^ "Enzo Fernandez: Chelsea sign midfielder in £106.8m British-record transfer deal from Benfica". Sky Sports. 1 February 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Chelsea's attacking woe vs. Fulham overshadows bright debut by record signee Enzo Fernandez". ESPN.com. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Con Enzo Fernández entre los posibles citados, la Sub 18 defenderá el Torneo de L'Alcúdia". La Página Millonaria. 19 July 2019. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  27. ^ "Messi bisa na estreia de Enzo Fernández". 24 September 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Lista de la Selección Argentina para el Mundial de Qatar 2022" (in Spanish). TyC Sports. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  29. ^ "Argentina 2 Mexico 0: As it happened". Al Jazeera. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  30. ^ Garcia, Adriana (26 November 2022). "Enzo Fernández: la figura que cambió todo desde el banco". ESPN. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  31. ^ Cawthorne, Andrew; Schomberg, William (3 December 2022). "Messi helps Argentina past Australia into World Cup quarter-finals". Reuters. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Argentina 3–3 France (Argentina wins 4–2 on penalties)". FIFA. 18 December 2022.
  33. ^ Clark, Gill (18 December 2022). "Argentina's Enzo Fernandez wins World Cup 2022 Young Player of the Tournament". Goal (website).
  34. ^ "#AnthonyScouts2022 – Enzo Fernández". 17 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  35. ^ "Enzo Fernandez – The Missing Piece to Final Puzzle?". 11 May 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  36. ^ "Enzo Fernandez analysis: Benfica's creative prodigy taking Europe by storm..." 18 September 2022. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  37. ^ "Scouting the Primeira Liga: The Next Players to Make the Step Up". 18 August 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  38. ^ "Enzo Fernandez – The Future Of Argentina and Benfica's Midfield?". 11 August 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Analyzing three of Europe's most promising central midfielders". 10 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  40. ^ "Enzo Fernández y su emoción ante la sorpresa de su esposa y su hija: "Orgullosa de todo lo que lograste"". Clarín (in Spanish). 23 December 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  41. ^ "Ficha Estadistica de ENZO FERNANDEZ". BDFA. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  42. ^ "Enzo Fernández". National-Football-Teams.com. Retrieved 21 December 2022.
  43. ^ Murray, Scott (18 December 2022). "Argentina beat France on penalties after thrilling World Cup final – live reaction". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
  44. ^ "Best of August: Enzo Fernández wins Best Midfielder of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin". Liga Portugal. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  45. ^ "Best of October/November: Enzo wins the VITO Award for Midfielder of the Month in Liga Portugal bwin". Liga Portugal. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  46. ^ "Mbappe pips Messi to Golden Boot". FIFA. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.

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