{"id":1764,"date":"2026-08-21T10:17:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T10:17:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1764"},"modified":"2026-08-21T10:17:03","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T10:17:03","slug":"xabi-alonsos-plan-for-enzo-fernandez-will-make-him-even-better-than-he-was-under-maresca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/footballars.xyz\/?p=1764","title":{"rendered":"Xabi Alonso’s plan for Enzo Fernandez will make him even better than he was under Maresca"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Xabi Alonso has spoken about his plan for Enzo Fernandez if he stays at Chelsea, and he could get even more out of the midfielder than his former manager did.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Enzo Maresca<\/a> enjoyed a strong relationship with Fernandez<\/a> during their time together at Stamford Bridge, and it is no surprise he wants to bring him with him to make the transition at Manchester City easier.<\/p>\n

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However, up to now the Argentine remains at Chelsea, and Alonso<\/a> has been speaking about his plans for how he will use him if he stays at the club.<\/p>\n

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Where will Chelsea finish in the Premier League in 2026\/27?<\/h3>\n

Let’s hear how you think Xabi Alonso will get on this season\u2026<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Xabi Alonso planning to get more out of Enzo Fernandez in deeper role<\/h2>\n

He told Football London<\/a>: \u201cHe can do both [deep-lying and advanced midfield], mainly because of the balance in the positions.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing from, not starting too high, starting from a build-up position, a playmaker, I think that when he\u2019s with the ball he has the qualities to link to the short passes but the long ones as well. He\u2019s able to see short and the farther players and from there he can progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Photo by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Under Maresca, Fernandez operated very close to the striker, contributing towards him scoring 10 Premier League goals last season.<\/p>\n

These roles look destined to go to Cole Palmer<\/a> and Morgan Rogers<\/a> under Alonso though, and his most likely spot in the side will be alongside Moises Caicedo in a midfield two.<\/p>\n

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When taking a look back at some of his most impressive performances, one that springs to mind was in the 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge<\/a>, where he played at the heart of midfield with a back three behind him.<\/p>\n

In this position, he was allowed to get on the ball far more often, completing 85 passes and the most dribbles of any player on the pitch.<\/p>\n

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What type of reaction did Enzo Fernandez deserve on his return for Chelsea?\ud83e\udd14<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Fernandez was given the Player of the Match award for his performance, and frequently impressed when in that role under Mauricio Pochettino, and even Graham Potter before him.<\/p>\n

Plenty would not want to see Fernandez\u2019s goal tally decrease by moving him deeper, but it can also be forgotten just how good he is at controlling the game from a deeper position.<\/p>\n

His brilliance in possession would allow Rogers and Palmer to maintain their position higher up the pitch, and link up with Joao Pedro in what looks a devastating front three.<\/p>\n

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