Fernandez emerging as leader amid World Cup double pursuit

• FIFA World Cup 2022 winner Fernandez is looking to claim the Club World Cup with Chelsea
• The Argentinian midfielder leads the tournament in assists with three
• Team-mates have hailed the leadership shown by the 24-year-old this season

It was a kind, endearing gesture, but also one full of respect. Amid the busy environment of the post-match interview setting at MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey following Chelsea FC’s 2-0 semi-final win over Fluminense FC in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, as he was leaving, Enzo Fernandez gave former Blues team-mate and Fluminense centre-back Thiago Silva a warm pat on the stomach while the latter was speaking with a reporter.

No words were needed between the two as Fernandez continued walking toward the Chelsea dressing room, but it was full of symbolism. The 24-year-old Argentinian midfielder, who has worn the captain’s armband for the Londoners in their last two matches, was paying tribute to the legendary Brazilian defender, 16 years his elder. Greatness recognizing greatness.

It also reflected the leadership role that Fernandez has assumed on this Chelsea team. Perhaps the player who helped spark Argentina’s run to the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2022™ title, earning the Best Young Player award, might not have approached Silva in that kind of situation even just a few years ago. But here he is now on the precipice of winning another World Cup, and this time as a figurehead of a young Chelsea squad looking to him to show the way.

Watch live and free on DAZN

“Most players in this Chelsea squad are young, but I believe we’re going to click over time because there’s so much talent here,” said Joao Pedro in a recent interview with FIFA. “Enzo, for example, has already won major honours in his career at such a young age. I still think there’s so much more to come from this Chelsea team.”

While Fernandez has excelled in the past month, leading all players in assists with three and amassing impressive statistics such as 20 duels won, 10 key passes and 85 per cent passing accuracy, fellow South American midfielder Moises Caicedo says that the Fernandez on display in the USA is the same one he’s been watching since last August.

“I’ve seen that Enzo is leading very well,” noted the Ecuadorian. “The truth is that he’s done it very well. This season he has been great. I’m really happy for him, for everything that he is giving to the team and for what he has been showing. He is demonstrating why he is a world champion, so I’m happy to have him here.”

Thanks in part to Fernandez’s efforts, Chelsea have reached Sunday’s final where they will take on a Paris Saint-Germain squad that enters the decider in rampaging form. Luis Enrique’s side have collected three separate 4-0 victories in the tournament, including ones over Spanish giants Atlético de Madrid in the group stage and European powerhouse Real Madrid C. F. in the semi-finals.

Fernandez’s big-match experience from Qatar 2022 will serve as an anchor for a Blues side against the reigning UEFA Champions League winners. One almost gets the sense that as long as Fernandez is on the field, Chelsea will always fancy their chances.

Tickets

“Enzo, since he has arrived, he has been a good friend of mine, he has been helping me a lot,” said Pedro Neto. “He has an unbelievable quality and unbelievable attitude and I think the team can look to him as a leader for the way he plays on the pitch. He’s a leader and he shows the way we should play.”