Chelsea set the bar extremely high for Enzo Fernandez when announcing his £107million deadline day move last January, completing the Blues record £323m splurge.

Having finally agreed a deal with Benfica after a month-long pursuit, the new world champion jetted into London on a private jet.

The Blues talked up the British record signing, initially labelling Fernandez as ‘one of the most promising young players in world football’.

Fernandez was billed primarily as a defensive-minded player, but Chelsea stating that he also ‘possesses the technical ability to operate as a deep playmaker and the athleticism to move forward and support attacks’.

Chelsea concluded that his attributes led to him being regarded as a ‘complete midfielder’.

Enzo Fernandez is set to mark one year since signing for Chelsea in a deadline day move

Enzo Fernandez is set to mark one year since signing for Chelsea in a deadline day move

Chelsea hailed Fernandez as a 'complete midfielder' when announcing his £107m transfer

Chelsea hailed Fernandez as a ‘complete midfielder’ when announcing his £107m transfer

The Blues said the World Cup winner was one of the brightest talents in global football

The Blues said the World Cup winner was one of the brightest talents in global football 

‘In Enzo we are signing a World Cup-winner and one of the brightest talents in global football,’ a statement from Todd Boehly, Chelsea chairman, and Behdad Eghbali, co-controlling owner, read.

‘We are excited to add him to Graham’s [Potter] squad and we are sure he will form an important part of our team going forward. Enzo has demonstrated his ability at the very highest levels so we’re looking forward to seeing what he will do in Chelsea blue.’

In short, the expectations placed on Fernandez were stratospheric from the start only adding to the hype generated by his transfer fee.

It is only natural that Fernandez has received a fair share of the flak amid Chelsea’s struggles over the past 12 months, with the Argentina international unable to have the transformative effect on the Blues fortunes.

The turbulence on and off the pitch contributed to the Chelsea recording their worst league finish in 30 years when they ended the season in 12th spot.  

There have been signs of an upturn under Mauricio Pochettino in recent weeks, with the Blues recording three straight Premier League wins and booking a place in the Carabao Cup final.

Yet, it is staggering to think that the Blues are 12 points of the Champions League places despite Boehly forking out in excess of £1billion on signings since his arrival.

Fernandez has perhaps not lived up to the lofty expectations individually, but the 23-year-old has shown why the Blues were prepared to sign him for a British record fee on an eight-and-a-half year deal. 

Chelsea have endured a difficult 12 months on the pitch but Fernandez has shown his talent

Chelsea have endured a difficult 12 months on the pitch but Fernandez has shown his talent

Fernandez has provided an all-round contribution to Chelsea's midfield over the last 12 months

Fernandez has provided an all-round contribution to Chelsea’s midfield over the last 12 months

The Argentine World Cup winner is shown signs of progress under Mauricio Pochettino

The Argentine World Cup winner is shown signs of progress under Mauricio Pochettino

Stats gurus Sofascore have ranked Fernandez ninth among all midfielders in the Premier League since signing for the Blues last January.

Fernandez had revealed in the summer that he was set to have a more advanced role after accepting the No 8 shirt, with £115m signing Moises Caicedo expected to provide more defensive cover.

The attacking contribution can be shown by Fernandez ranking ninth for big chances created and total shots over the past 12 months.

Chelsea would likely be expecting a great end product, with Fernandez having only scored five times and provided three assists across 48 matches. The Blues faltering forward line my be contributing to Fernandez’s numbers not being higher.

One aspect where Fernandez has tops the Sofascore rankings is his long passing. The Argentine has sprayed 207 long passes across the pitch over his year in the Premier League, backing up Chelsea’s initial assertion about his playmaking ability.

Fernandez has also provided a defensive contribution, winning 41 tackles and 174 duels, placing him 12th and 14th for both. The midfielder has also recovered the ball 186 times, putting him 15th among midfielders.

The statistics indicate that while Fernandez has perhaps not been the elite midfielder expected for the money paid, the Argentine’s all-around game ranks him highly in the Premier League.

While technically excellent, Chelsea fans will be hoping there is more to come from Fernandez. 

With Fernandez having only turned 23 earlier this month, there is still plenty of time for him to develop into the ‘complete midfielder’ Chelsea promised 12 months ago.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes there is more to come from Moises Caicedo and Fernandez

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino believes there is more to come from Moises Caicedo and Fernandez

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that Fernandez needs to improve further, particularly his partnership with Caicedo.

His countryman had noted that the midfielders, signed for a combined £222million, were still a work in progress following a limp 2-0 defeat by Everton just last month.

‘The relationship between them needs to improve of course, between them and individually also,’ Pochettino said. ‘They are young, the expectation is massive when you arrive.

‘Caicedo had one season in Brighton and Enzo after three months in Europe, he was in Benfica before arriving to the Premier League. Arriving not in the best place to perform quick because they need to be part of the solution.

‘They are not the cherry of the cake. When you arrive in a team that is in a building process and you’re young with not too much experience, even if you have good quality and people can see the club paid big money and only for that you need to perform, it is not like this in football.

‘Some people think in this way because they don’t know about football. It’s a process.’

Fernandez was the final and headline addition at the end of Chelsea’s record breaking January spending last year. One year on, the Argentine is the shining light from the £323m outlay.

How Chelsea’s other January signings got on?

Mykhailo Mudryk – Verdict: Miss

The £88m signing of Mudryk was lauded, partly due to Chelsea having hijacked Arsenal’s move for the talented Ukrainian.

A Chelsea delegation, including co-owner Eghbali and director of global talent Paul Winstanley, flew to Belek in Turkey to hijack the deal.

Mudryk has unquestionably failed to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old has contributed a paltry four goals and four assists in his first 12 months at the club.

The fee Chelsea paid for Mudryk looks vastly inflated for a player who has the raw tools to be effective in the Premier League, but has yet to significant signs of improvement.

It would be wrong to right Mudryk off entirely, but he remains a work in progress. 

Mykhailo Mudryk has failed to live up to expectations after his £88m transfer last January

Mykhailo Mudryk has failed to live up to expectations after his £88m transfer last January

Benoit Badiashile – Verdict: Jury’s out

Badiashile had initially been one of Chelsea’s better performers in the second half of last season, as the rest of the squad fell apart around him.

The French defender has seen his progress set back by injuries, missing the early stages of the season with a hamstring problem.

Badiashile has made just five Premier League starts this season, with the central defender still battling for his place in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI.

With only 20 appearances over the past 12 months, the jury has to still be out on Badiashile.

Malo Gusto – Verdict: Jury’s out

Chelsea signed Gusto in late January before allowing him to return to Lyon on loan for the rest of the season.

Gusto may have initially been signed as cover for Reece James, but has become increasingly important given the Chelsea captain’s fitness problems.

The full back began life at Chelsea with a pair of assists against Luton, but was sent off against Aston Villa in the sixth match of the campaign.

Gusto has also suffered a number of injuries to limit his time in the side. He has shown that he can be an able deputy to James.

Malo Gusto has had a stop start spell at Chelsea but looks solid cover for Reece James

Malo Gusto has had a stop start spell at Chelsea but looks solid cover for Reece James

Noni Madueke – Verdict: Jury’s out

Madueke has struggled for game time since joining from PSV for £25m a year ago.

The Blues last month were forced to deny suggestions Madueke that the England Under-21 international could be set to make a loan exit during the transfer window.

Pochettino claimed earlier this month that it had taken Madueke six months to figure out what was required to feature in his side.

‘I am so happy – it took him nearly six months to realise what we expect from him,’ Pochettino said.

‘Players need to improve and he is improving a lot – his behaviour now, and the way that he has committed himself first, and with the rest of the ideas from the club. 

‘Noni has potential and talent. He needs to do the things and behave in the future if he wants to succeed. That is the platform for everyone and then it is about being right in your mind and being consistent in the way we propose they behave.’

With only nine starts in the Premier League in 12 months, Madueke’s first year cannot be viewed as a success. He has showed signs recently that he could still force his way into Pochettino’s side. 

Noni Madueke has struggled to force his way into the Chelsea side since signing from PSV

Noni Madueke has struggled to force his way into the Chelsea side since signing from PSV

Andrey Santos – Verdict: Miss 

Andrey Santos had been billed as one of Brazil’s most promising midfielders, with his arrival from Vasco da Gama viewed as a coup.

Santos was sent out on loan at the start of the season to Nottingham Forest to gain Premier League experience.

The Brazilian was recalled earlier this month, after making just two appearances for the club.

David Datro Fofana – Verdict: Miss 

The £8m signing of David Datro Fofana represented something of a gamble from the Blues.

The Ivorian joined after scoring 24 goals in 37 matches for Molde last season, with the deal seen as part of Chelsea’s efforts to sign unproven gems.

Fofana was perhaps unfairly thrown into the deep end, making four brief appearances in Chelsea’s chaotic second half of last season.

He was then shipped out on loan for the first half of this season, signing for Union Berlin.

Fofana’s time at the Bundesliga club was cut short this month, ending his loan with just two goals in 17 matches.

David Datro Fofana was loaned to Union Berlin this summer but returned to Chelsea this month

David Datro Fofana was loaned to Union Berlin this summer but returned to Chelsea this month

Joao Felix – Verdict: Miss

While not a permanent addition, Chelsea still spent £15m last January to sign Joao Felix on loan for the remainder of the season. 

The Atletico Madrid forward played 20 times in all competitions, scoring four goals and recording no assists.

His time at Chelsea had begun in farcical fashion with Felix shown a straight red card after 58 minutes on his debut against Fulham.

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Post source: Daily mail

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