Chelsea have enjoyed an unparalleled spending spree this season. However, spending more than 611 million euros this season resulted in a meager 0-0 draw in yesterday’s city derby against better-placed Fulham. Against sixth-placed Cottagers, Enzo Fernández made his debut just three days after his move.
But the Londoners were much less aggressive on the pitch than on the winter transfer market. Both teams created few chances in the first half. Fernández had a few ball actions in the center, but the world champion remained mostly inconspicuous. The 22-year-old concentrates on distributing the ball, but saves his offensive accents for the second half. Mudryk, on the other hand, remained pale and was already substituted at half-time.
In the 73rd minute, Fernández tried to beat Fulham keeper Bernd Leno with a long-range shot, but the ball flew just wide of the far post from around 20 yards out. So the Argentinian couldn’t do anything to change the goalless end of the game. “Money can buy a lot but it doesn’t guarantee Premier League wins”writes the ‘Daily Mail’ this Saturday.
Jorginho’s legacy
But although Fernández could not give his new club a win, he showed the beginnings of why the future belongs to him at the six. The right foot cleaned up neatly behind the two aft Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount. In the end, the world champion had the most tackles of any player on the pitch, won all of his aerial duels and was able to stop Fulham’s attacks several times with ten intercepts.
Graham Potter was therefore happy with his new protégé’s first appearance despite the disappointing draw: “It was really good considering he hasn’t been in the country very long. He doesn’t know us, we don’t know him that well, but I think you can already guess his qualities and his personality. Will get better and better.”
