For a long while Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez struggled under the weight of his hefty price tag but as he prepares to face his former side Benfica on Saturday in the Club World Cup, he is finally showing why the Blues splashed out on him.

The 24-year-old set up two goals in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Esperance of Tunisia which sent his team through to the last 16 and a date with the Portuguese giants in Charlotte this weekend.

With England international Cole Palmer struggling for form, Fernandez has been Chelsea’s key creative influence over the past few months.

The Argentina star helped the Londoners qualify for the Champions League by claiming fourth place in the Premier League, as well as winning the Conference League in May.

After Real Betis took the lead in the final, Fernandez inspired Chelsea’s comeback by netting their first goal in an eventual 4-1 triumph in Poland.

In 2025, Fernandez has scored and assisted a total of 14 goals, with Pedro Neto the next highest producer at Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea with nine, and Palmer lagging behind with eight, along with youngster Tyrique George.

As well as impressing against Esperance, Fernandez scored in Chelsea’s 2-0 opening win in Atlanta against Los Angeles FC.

“My goal against LAFC was my eighth of the season. That is a good number, it’s good in one season and I am thankful to God for this. But for me, this is still just the beginning,” Fernandez told Chelsea’s website.

“I’m always going to want more, I always want to do better. If I can do that, I will be helping the team. This is always on my mind.

“It’s why I work hard and try to improve, and with Enzo (Maresca), I am playing further forward, which has helped with my statistics. Next season, though, I want to score more goals and give more assists.”

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