In Focus: Enzo starting to excel for Poch's new-look Blues

Enzo Fernandez is beginning to show why Chelsea broke the British transfer record to sign him for £106.8million from Benfica last January.

At 22, the midfielder is already a World Cup winner and one of the most expensive signings in football history.

And now he is starting to live up to expectations despite the Blues' slow start to the season under Argentine compatriot Mauricio Pochettino.

Ahead of La Albiceleste's World Cup qualifier against Ecuador in Buenos Aires, we take a closer look at Fernandez’s performances so far this term.

More freedom

The fact that midfield partner Moises Caicedo is the new British record signing seems to have benefitted Fernandez.

The midfield maestro is no longer feeling that burden and appears to be operating with more freedom.

That is certainly the case tactically, with Caicedo brought in to anchor the engine room.

Fernandez is now able to get into more advanced areas and showcase his creative talent.

No Premier League player has completed more passes into the final third of the pitch (118) or attempted more through-balls (eight) this season.

New role

Under Graham Potter and Frank Lampard last season, Fernandez operated predominantly as a holding midfielder, a role he can play more than adequately.

But Pochettino has other ideas. The new Chelsea boss said: "He [Fernandez] is a No8.

"One of the first things when we met was to talk about his position and how he feels comfortable — and then to talk about his quality.

"He needs some freedom. He has the quality to assist and to shoot from outside the box."

Growing influence

With more licence to push forward, Fernandez is becoming more and more influential in a Chelsea shirt.

He ranks fifth in the Premier League this season for total touches (443) and sixth for completed passes (323).

And few players in the division are as comfortable in possession, with Fernandez boasting a passing accuracy of 90.73%.

The South American has also created two big chances and has an expected assists (xA) tally of 1.42.

Real deal

Others began to notice Fernandez’s new role as soon as the opening game of the season against Liverpool.

Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher said: "He is between the lines, almost in a No10 position so straight away when I was watching I was thinking something is different, he's in a different role.

"He looks over his shoulder and knows the ball is there and passes it in. It reminded me of the great midfield players — and I go back to Paul Scholes, Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira — they whip it round the corner and then they are away.

"Chelsea have bought the real deal who looks like one of the top midfielders in the country, if he's not already.”

Looking ahead

The key now for Pochettino will be to create a cohesive team around Fernandez.

Defeat to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge before the international break was not part of the plan — and the Blues boss will have plenty to ponder before the Premier League returns.

If Chelsea are to succeed this season, Fernandez’s performances will undoubtedly be key.