“He’s a good player but he’s not going to cut it if you want to be League contenders. He lacks the creativity that he needs for his position and there are better replacements for him in the squad” – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been cautioned by John Terry that one of his top players may not be well-suited for the Premier League. Concerns are growing that the star’s playing style and adaptation challenges could hinder his effectiveness in England’s demanding top-tier league.

Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has raised doubts about midfielder Enzo Fernandez’s suitability for the Premier League, cautioning manager Enzo Maresca. Fernandez joined Chelsea from Benfica in January 2023 for a record-breaking £105 million fee.

Despite flashes of his potential, the 23-year-old Argentine World Cup winner has struggled to consistently meet high expectations since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

With Maresca establishing a more consistent starting lineup, Fernandez has found himself behind Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia in the rotation and has not started a league match since early October.

Maresca previously highlighted the balance that Caicedo and Lavia bring to the team, though he assured Fernandez still holds an essential role in the squad as the season progresses.

However, Gallas has expressed concerns that Fernandez’s style and skill set may not align well with the demands of English football.

Speaking to Prime Casino, Gallas pointed out that although Fernandez possesses quality, the physicality and intensity of the Premier League require players to perform consistently in a demanding box-to-box role.

Gallas emphasized that for Fernandez to secure his position, he must either contribute more goals and assists or raise his fitness levels and consistency.

Though he’s currently limited to brief appearances off the bench, such as against Manchester United, Fernandez must seize these opportunities to demonstrate his impact.

With a lucrative contract that runs until 2032 and earning £180,000 a week, a potential transfer could be challenging despite interest from clubs like Barcelona and Inter Milan. However, early reports indicate Fernandez remains committed to fighting for his place at Chelsea.