Gary Neville says Enzo Fernandez has one big weakness despite being a ‘brilliant’ player

The midfielder was at the centre of City’s controversial goal after interfering in play from an offside position.

It’s time to talk about our midfield situation… who’s getting your vote?

Erling Haaland’s goal was given in the end, though, as City went on to claim all three points at Old Trafford.

Fernandez had a good game, and Neville has hailed the 25-year-old as an “outstanding” and “brilliant” player. However, he does not think it is always easy to play alongside him, largely because of a lack of “positional discipline”.

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast after the Manchester derby, the United legend said: “I thought it was a massive test for Elliot Anderson, and I wanted to see him play alongside Enzo Fernandez because I think it’s hard to play alongside Enzo Fernandez. I think he’s also an outstanding player, by the way, but I think he’s also difficult to read what he’s going to do next.

“He’s never quite where you want him, and I think, to be fair, Manchester City’s players and coaches will know that. But he is a brilliant player. He influences the game, he’s sort of got that big personality, he’s got that determination, that ferocity about him, but he is sometimes lacking positional discipline in the sense that he’s not quite where Elliot Anderson would want him in balancing off as a two.”

With Fernandez and Anderson, City’s midfield is starting to thrive again after losing Rodri. Despite City playing the majority of their game against United with 10 men, Fernandez and Anderson still managed to get on the ball often and used it well.

In contrast, Chelsea’s midfield has virtually collapsed following Fernandez’s exit. With the Argentine no longer at Stamford Bridge and Moises Caicedo out injured, Xabi Alonso has had to use Reece James and Malo Gusto next to Romeo Lavia in midfield. It has not worked, especially the Gusto experiment.

Understandably, Fernandez was a talking point among Chelsea fans after his performance at Old Trafford, with some questioning the club’s decision to sell him.

What makes matters even worse is the fact that Chelsea failed to bring in a replacement and are now having to use two right-backs in midfield. It is no wonder that some supporters are absolutely fuming.

Fernandez may have a weakness or two, but Chelsea’s loss is certainly proving to be City’s gain. Chelsea will argue, though, that Fernandez’s position in the squad simply became untenable in the end.

Add to Preferred Sources