Rio Ferdinand’s glowing praise for Enzo Fernández, the new jewel of the Premier League

Enzo Fernández continues to surprise locals and strangers. His record transfer from Benfica to Chelsea didn’t affect his stature as a footballer, and from what was seen of him in his first few games in his new team, his adaptation to the Premier League was very easy for him. In this context, the one who highlighted their conditions was none other than Rio Ferdinand, an emblematic former Manchester United defender and currently a football commentator on TV.

“I think his confidence is what stands out the most for someone so young. His track record in the last year is… I’ve never really seen anything like this. It is something that does not move him”expressed one of the legends of the England team to bt sports.

Referring to the performance of the former River in Qatar 2022, where he received the award for the best young footballer in the competition, Ferdinand praised: “I saw him play the World Cup. He joined that team as if he was someone who needed to be there. He played the World Cup without fear“, said. And he added:The pressure that the Argentines had for the World Cup, not only for the country but for Messi… I don’t understand what it means. And he came and played like it was any other game.”

There were also words highlighted by Enzo’s rapid adaptation to one of the most intense leagues in the world: “There are some players who we think need time to adjust to the Premier League, and I don’t feel like I’m that type of player. He seems like a player with a mentality to match.” sentenced the former defender.

Rio Ferdinand is one of the most representative footballers in the recent history of Manchester Unitedwith whom he won 6 Premier League championships, 3 Carling Cups, 3 FA Community Shields, a UEFA Champions League Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup. and the England teamwith whom he played in the World Cups in France 1998, Japan/South Korea 2002 and Germany 2006.

In addition, Enzo Fernández has the first crucial challenge with his team, since Chelsea will face Borussia Dortmund this Wednesday, for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16. The duel will be played from 17 in our country in Germany. Contrary to the irregularity of the London team in the Premier League, in the Champions League they won Group E with 13 points, after reaping four victories, a draw and suffering a defeat. They lost their debut against Dynamo Zagreb, but then beat Milan twice, beat Salzburg and got even with the Croatian team in the home game at Stanford Bridge.

At the start of date 23 of the Premier League, This Saturday Chelsea returned to the goal but it was not enough. Despite Enzo Fernández’s assist for Joao Félix’s goal, they only equalized 1-1 on their visit to West Ham, which is fighting to escape the relegation zone, and fails to return to the victories it needs to gain ground in the tournament and calm the wave of criticism for investments that do not bear good fruit.

Enzo, who joined the team last week and debuted two days later (on Friday the 3rd) in the 0-0 draw with Fulham at home, he was close to opening the scoring after 12 minutes. It was when he recovered a ball near the rival area and, Almost cornered, he hooked to the right before Thilo Kehrer’s mark and tried from afar. The shot, with more surprise than effect, went close to a stick.

The world champion midfielder with the Argentine national team he assisted the Portuguese Joao Félix four minutes later for the 1-0 that broke the drought of two straight games without shouts for Chelsea. Two of the last stars that the London team acquired connected for the celebration: Fernández took the ball in the same area from which he had finished off, with some freedom, but this time he pricked it over the defenders and some of his teammates until to reach the Portuguese, who first spliced ​​it and sealed his goal, in the doubt of those who believed that he was not enabled. A gem.

For 23-year-old Joao Félix, it was like redeeming himself from his forgotten team debut almost a month ago in a 2-1 loss to Fulham in a matchday seven game pending. That night, Joao Félix started, he saw the red card in the first minutes of the second half for an iron and received three suspension dates. The return was with a goal, just after a quarter of an hour.

THE NATION