Enzo Fernandez smiles at the mention of his 92nd-minute winner against West Ham last Saturday. Another highlight in a season of many. It was goal number 11 of the campaign and just the latest to come from a run into the box reminiscent of Frank Lampard.The 25-year-old has undergone a transformation from deep-lying playmaker to Lampard-like goalscorer at Chelsea. And it turns out he has been doing his homework on a club legend who briefly acted as his head coach between Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.
“He’s an inspiration,” he tells Sky Sports. “I’ve watched a lot of videos of Frank since coming to Chelsea. I’ve seen how he got into those last metres of the pitch and how he got into the box.”
Now Fernandez is doing it himself. In fact, he has an exactly equal number of goals as Lampard from his first 151 appearances, with 27, all of them scored with the same Chelsea shirt number on his back.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior explains his pre-match anger against Arsenal
“During the time he was our coach, I didn’t play in this position, I played further back, so I couldn’t talk to him much about it. But I’ve been watching and learning from his videos since I came to the club.
“He was an exceptional player and a legend here for Chelsea. I don’t like to be compared to him, because he has achieved a lot more here than I have. He’s an idol. I hope to follow in his footsteps at Chelsea.”
Clearly, there is a long way to go to match Lampard’s achievements. But Fernandez has packed a lot into his three years. Those 151 appearances and 27 goals. But also five head coaches, two trophy wins, and a gradual justification of his £107m price-tag.
It is never dull at Chelsea and while his outstanding performances this season have prompted rumours of interest from Real Madrid, Fernandez, now vice-captain, and a leader on and off the pitch, does not sound like a player in any kind of hurry to move on.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
…
2026-02-06 10:30:00
