After the announcement of their record-breaking £323M expenditure in January, with £107M spent on Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea established a high standard for the newcomer. The world champion arrived in London on a private plane after sealing a deal with Benfica following a month-long pursuit.

Described as “one of the most promising young players in world football” by Chelsea, Fernandez was lauded for his athleticism to support attacks, technical ability as a deep playmaker, and defensive prowess, earning him the tag of a “complete midfielder”.

Despite Chelsea’s lackluster performance in the last 12 months, Fernandez, a 23-year-old Argentine, has showcased his skills, ranking ninth among all Premier League midfielders by stats gurus Sofascore. With high expectations and the pressure to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around, Fernandez, wearing the No. 8 jersey, has demonstrated his playmaking prowess with impressive passing and defensive contributions.

Despite the scrutiny, there is optimism for Fernandez’s continued growth, and Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea’s manager, emphasizes the need for improvement, especially in partnership with Moises Caicedo. As Chelsea aims for success, the £323M investment, including Fernandez, appears to be paying off after a year.