Enzo Fernandes smiles as he mentions his 92nd-minute winner against West Ham last Saturday. Another highlight of many seasons. It was his 11th goal of the season and the latest to come from a run into the box reminiscent of Frank Lampard.
The 25-year-old has transformed from a deep playmaker to a Lampard-like goalscorer at Chelsea. And it has emerged that he had done his homework on the club legend, who was briefly head coach between Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
“He’s a source of inspiration,” he told Sky Sports. “I’ve watched a lot of videos of Frank since I came to Chelsea. I’ve seen how he gets into the last few meters of the pitch and how he gets into the box.”
Now Fernandes is doing it himself. In fact, he scored exactly the same 27 goals as Lampard in his first 151 appearances, all of them while wearing the same Chelsea number.
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Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior explains pre-match anger against Arsenal
“When he was our coach, I didn’t play in this position, I played more at the back, so I couldn’t talk to him much about it. But since I’ve been at the club, I’ve been watching his videos and learning.”
“He was an extraordinary player here at Chelsea, a legend. I don’t like being compared to him because he has achieved more than me here. He is an idol. I want to follow in his footsteps at Chelsea.”
Clearly, there is a long way to go to match Lampard’s achievements. However, Fernandes has crammed a lot into his three years. He played in 151 games and scored 27 goals. But five head coaches, two trophies and his £107m price tag were gradually justified.
His form at Chelsea has never slowed down, and his outstanding performances this season have led to rumors of interest from Real Madrid, but Fernandes, currently vice-captain and a leader on and off the pitch, does not appear to be a player in a hurry to move on.
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Fernandes scored the dramatic winning goal against West Ham in a 3-2 win.
“I’m grateful for the three years I’ve spent at this club,” he says. “The situation has gone from bad to better. I’m very happy to be here today.
“I want to keep winning with the club, because that’s what this shirt demands. I’m very connected to the club and it feels great, so I want to win more trophies here.”
He will not add the Carabao Cup to his winnings as Chelsea lost to Arsenal in the semi-finals. “Obviously there’s anger at not being able to play in another final for Chelsea, but I’m proud of the team for giving it their all in the two games,” he said.
But there’s still a lot to play for this season.
Chelsea have progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League and the fourth round of the FA Cup and will be fighting to be as high up in the Premier League as possible ahead of Saturday’s game against Wolves.
Few players play a bigger role in how it all ends than the World Cup-winning midfielder. Fernandes has scored more goals and provided more assists than any other Chelsea player since the start of last year and was described as one of the best players in the Premier League by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher this week.
“I would like to publicly thank him for saying those words about me,” Fernandez said. “I’m grateful to hear that from a legend like him.”
He would like to thank the club and the fans for helping him overcome the difficulties he faced after joining from Benfica.
“I give 100 per cent every day and in every training session. Every time I have the opportunity to put on the shirt and defend Chelsea, I give my best because they believe in me.
“I want to give back to them on the pitch. Of course, I feel like I’m doing well now and I feel like I’m doing well. I’d also like to thank the Chelsea fans who have always shown me love. I feel very close to them.”
Carragher’s analysis of Fernandes focused on his goalscoring. “He’s one of the best box crushers you’ll see in the Premier League and is always close to the end of things,” he said.
A talent modeled after Lampard, Fernandes is currently honing his talents under new head coach Liam Rosenior. “He’s a great coach,” he says. “He only arrived a month ago, but he is showing all his potential.
“Football doesn’t give you time, you only want results and that’s how it is. But he’s managed to get results and he’s given us a lot of confidence. So I’m very happy that he’s with us. We’ve all felt how much we’ve grown, both as a group and on an individual level.”
Fernandes is encouraged to act on his attacking instincts. According to Opta’s advanced stats, he has scored more runs than any other Premier League player this season and has been selected as a crossing option, and Rosenior wants more of the same.
“I enjoyed adding goals and assists to my game,” he says. “The coach gives me freedom. He gives me the freedom to express myself in the last few meters of the pitch, which makes me feel really good.”
“We have a game plan for each game and that’s what Liam demands. He gives us freedom in the final third and I’m there, trying to get into the box so my teammates have other options.”
“That’s something I’ve been working on in training. But I think the most important thing is also to be in good physical condition to get into the last few meters in the box, because I play in midfield and have to go up and down in my position a lot.”
“I feel like I’m ready for that now. I’m preparing for that moment.”
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Check out Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior’s memorable moments against Arsenal.
He admits it was initially difficult to meet the physical demands of the Premier League. Rosenior’s predecessor, Enzo Maresca, cited physical issues after dropping him for Romeo Lavia at the start of last season.
But his progress is clear. Fernandes has played more minutes than any of his Chelsea team-mates this season and ranks in the Premier League’s top 15 in terms of distance traveled.
“I’ve felt this way for a long time and strived to be as competitive as I am,” he says. “Consistency is very important. I continue to give 100 percent every day, in every training session and in every match. I think that will lead to great results.”
Fernandes has shown his versatility at Chelsea this season.
Fernandes is proof of that. Of course he is first and foremost a technically gifted player, but he has recently been enjoying the growing physicality of English football, with an emphasis on duels and set-pieces, which he demonstrated against Arsenal on Tuesday.
“I like it. For me, the Premier League today is the best league in the world, so on a physical level it is tiring. But I enjoy it. I think it is very important to be ready to play at this level every three days.”
In his role as vice-captain, following in the footsteps of Reece James, Fernandes is looking to impress not only his head coach but also his team-mates.
It is clear that leadership comes naturally to him.
Fernandes competes for the ball with Arsenal’s Julian Timber
“It’s about being available for the group, your teammates, and in this case the new coach, and supporting them every day,” he explains. “There have been a lot of changes, so it’s also important to ask your teammates how they’re doing and how they feel about the coach.
“I think the human side of being a leader is very important. It’s very important for me to share with my teammates on and off the pitch. I always try to support them and be there for them. If they need help, advice or anything else, I’m always there to help.”
There is no doubt that Fernandes is now contributing as a leader, as a goalscorer and as one of the best players in the Premier League, determined to lead Chelsea to further success.
Watch the Premier League match between Chelsea and Wolves on Saturday at 3pm from 1.30pm on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. Watch match highlights for free starting at 5:15 p.m.
