Enzo Fernandez & Moises Caicedo: Pochettino has NO CLUE how to use €240m duo

Cameron Smith

5 Apr 2024 07:35 BST
5 min read

Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

When Cole Palmer’s 101st minute winner hit the back of the net against Manchester United on Thursday night, Mauricio Pochettino celebrated in true Jose Mourinho style.

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The Argentine sprinted down the touchline, embraced his staff and was more joyous than on any other occasion during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

The win only lifted Chelsea from 11th to 10th in the Premier League table, but it was a moment to remember as the Blues embark on a new project with an over-reliance on young, inexperienced players.

Palmer bagged his first ever senior hat-trick, with two goals from the penalty spot and a last-gasp winner via a huge Scott McTominay deflection, and it’s fair to say Pochettino would have been sacked if Chelsea hadn’t signed the England international last summer.

He has been the Blues’ saviour on countless occasions this season and has been one of very few shining lights in a dismal campaign by Chelsea’s usual standards.

Pochettino’s job may be safe for now, but he is at fault for a fair chunk of Chelsea’s issues, starting with their midfield.

Mauricio Pochettino is at fault for Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez’s struggles

As previously mentioned, Conor Gallagher perfectly suits Pochettino's current style of play at Chelsea - high octane, end-to-end, counter-attacking football, but he is one of very few Blues players who is being maximised by the Argentine. Nicolas Jackson also suits this system, while Palmer has proven he is capable of impressing in any game state.

However, Pochettino's tactical style is completely limiting the impact of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez - Chelsea's €240 million duo.

Fernandez isn't particularly mobile, yet he is being asked to perform a Frank Lampard-esque box-to-box role, while Caicedo is still only 21 years old and is often tasked with defending counter-attacks with no help from the rest of his midfield.

During Argentina's World Cup triumph in 2022, Fernandez was sublime, and he was also excellent in his six-month spell at Benfica. On both occasions, he was used in the correct manner - similar to how Toni Kroos operates at Real Madrid. The Germany international frequently drops into the left-centre-back's zone to pick up possession and dictate the speed and direction of Los Blancos attacks.

He isn't required to cover large spaces when defending, due to a strong rest defence shape, and this means his on-ball value far outweighs any negatives that his inclusion in the starting XI may bring.

The complete opposite is true for Fernandez and he is being made to look very ordinary by Pochettino. Of course, the player must take a fair share of responsibility for his own form, but Fernandez is being asked to perform a role which reduces his best attributes and highlights his weaknesses. Most players would struggle under such circumstances.

As for Caicedo, the Ecuadorian is crumbling under the weight of an obscene price tag. His error for Alejandro Garnacho's first goal on Thursday night was inexcusable and while criticism levelled towards him has been slightly over-blown this season, he hasn't lived up to expectations.

However, he is also suffering due to Pochettino's lack of tactical set-up.

He is forced to cover an obscene amount of ground in midfield and the chaotic nature of Pochettino’s current system means that Caicedo is constantly exposed in the middle of the park.

On Thursday night, the match was compared to a basketball game due to its end-to-end nature and the Ecuador international was forced to consistently sprint back towards his own goal in a bid to put out fires.

Caicedo has conceded 42 fouls so far this season (the ninth most in the Premier League) and while that is partly down to his style of play, it is also due to the fact he is frequently outnumbered when defending and often receives no help. Fernandez is miles away performing a separate role and Gallagher can be found pressing a centre-back or a full-back.

At Brighton, Caicedo shone when operating in a small zone next to Alexis Mac Allister, with Pascal Gross in close proximity too. At Chelsea, he is often on his own and he is struggling.

Both Caicedo and Fernandez have not lived up to expectations or their price tags, but Pochettino must take a fair share of the blame because two very good players are underperforming and that is on the manager.