Mauricio Pochettino believes it’s unfair to check the affect of Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea to that of Arsenal’s Declan Rice, because the groups put together to face one another on the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.
England worldwide Rice joined Mikel Arteta’s facet from West Ham final summer season for £100million, lower than the £107m it value to take World Cup winner Fernandez from Benfica to Stamford Bridge in January 2023.
The price for the Argentinian was a British document on the time, although the membership have since surpassed it in signing fellow midfielder Moises Caicedo from Brighton for £115m.
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Rice has gained plaudits for his transformational impact on Arsenal’s midfield, serving to to forge a sturdier, extra cohesive facet than the one which fell away within the remaining weeks of final season’s Premier League title race.
In contrast, Chelsea’s league place has not markedly improved within the 15 months since Fernandez arrived in west London, and regardless of clear flashes of his apparent expertise and vary of passing, query marks have remained over whether or not the membership acquired worth for cash.
Nevertheless, his countryman Pochettino referred to as for perspective on the obstacles that his participant has needed to take care of since arriving in England.
“Declan Rice was taking part in for West Ham, an English man who is aware of the Premier League, is aware of the language,” mentioned the 52-year-old.
“For Enzo, after the World Cup to reach right here, in a crew that was inconsistent, troublesome to get optimistic outcomes, at all times it was actually troublesome.
“In summer season he was concerned in too many video games and he arrived late in pre-season, hasn’t had a vacation within the final two years.
“Too many unfavorable issues occurred. (It was) troublesome for him to adapt, his household. It’s not straightforward to adapt and carry out so fast.”
Fernandez was answerable for creating Chelsea’s greatest likelihood of Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester Metropolis, hitting an incisive, raking cross from deep that despatched Nicolas Jackson by way of on aim, however the striker couldn’t end.
He has scored three Premier League objectives and made 4 assists since shifting from Portugal within the fast aftermath of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph, however Pochettino insisted the very best is but to return from the 23-year-old.
“For certain he’s going to be a lot better subsequent season, after the expertise of the entire season on this squad and this crew,” he mentioned.
“He’s extra skilled, he will get higher emotions. The entire season is nice for him to be taught. Even when he’s a world champion, he must adapt to the Premier League and to this membership. For me, there is no such thing as a doubt that he’s going to be a lot better.”
Pochettino mentioned there have been no discussions over the way forward for striker Romelu Lukaku, at present on a season-long mortgage at Roma, however appeared to trace that the door may very well be open for a return.
The 30-year-old has scored 18 objectives for the Serie A facet this marketing campaign after telling Chelsea final summer season that he wished to go away.
“He’s a Chelsea participant, so for certain we can pay consideration,” mentioned Pochettino. “It’s an possibility. However nonetheless we didn’t take any resolution.”
