Enzo Fernandez has attributed his meteoric rise to superstardom to the advice and support of Hernan Crespo. The 22-year-old joined Chelsea from Benfica in January after impressing for Argentina at the World Cup in Qatar.
Desperate to sign the midfielder, higher-ups at the London club held extensive talks with the Portuguese giants on deadline day. The Blues eventually agreed to pay Benfica £106.7million in six instalments, making him the most expensive player in Premier League history.
Despite his eye-watering price tag, Fernandez has hit the ground running at Chelsea and he's hoping to continue his impressive form in the Champions League. Frank Lampard's side will welcome Real Madrid to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening as the Blues look to turnaround a two-goal deficit.
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In an interview with the official club website ahead of the blockbuster tie, Fernandez explained why Crespo has armed him with the tools to compete at the highest level in Europe. He said: "We already know what Hernan was like as a player. He has proved it over the years, but as a person too he’s a top guy.
"He always tries to help, always gives advice. He’s spent many years as a player and he always has stories to tell and whenever I needed him, he was always there. He has taught me a lot on the field because he was my coach at Defensa y Justicia.
"We won the Copa Sudamericana together and I always mention that he taught me so many things," continues the 22-year-old. "I had just come from River Plate after not playing in the first team and playing in the second team for a long time, and going to Defensa y Justicia was very good for my mind, to keep growing, to keep maturing and to gain experience there.
"It was very important for me," Fernandez added. "Besides Hernan, his coaching staff was also very good, he always tried to help us and I have learned a lot from him, he has always advised me well - super football-gifted, he knows a lot about football."
Then, when quizzed on the opportunity to play for Chelsea in the Champions League, he said: "It’s an enormous accomplishment to play in the Champions League. I’ve always dreamed of playing in it. Everything's happening so fast in my career.
"I’m truly enjoying playing in it and I’m happy to play with Chelsea here and experience it to the maximum. We started out by losing in Germany, and we turned it around while playing at home with our support. Fans are really important, they supported us throughout it all.
"We knew and trusted in our game plan. We trusted in our team, in our mental strength. Adapting always takes time, meeting new players. I was among the 10 new players that came in."
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