Enzo Fernandez SLAMMED following Crystal Palace performance

Cameron Smith

• 2 Sept 2024 18:30 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been heavily criticised by Jamie O’Hara following his performance against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

The Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Oliver Glasner’s side at Stamford Bridge, with Eberechi Eze’s second-half strike cancelling out Nicolas Jackson’s opener.

The result means Chelsea sit 11th in the Premier League table after three matches, having picked up just four points so far this season.

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Following the draw to Palace, O’Hara was quick to aim criticism in Fernandez’s direction.

The Argentina international joined Chelsea for a British record fee of €121 million in January 2023 and he hasn’t been able to justify that insane price tag since his arrival in west London.

As per Football Critic, Fernandez was Chelsea’s second-worst player versus Crystal Palace (behind Pedro Neto) - amassing a match rating of just 6.2.

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He lost possession 19 times, the most of any player on the pitch, while he failed with all three of his tackle attempts.

What has been said?

After the match, O’Hara told Sky Sports (as per Chelsea Chronicle): “I am not having Enzo Fernandez. I am not having him. I don’t think he is good enough.

“They paid a lot of money for him, £100 million, they have made him the captain of the football club. I don’t think he deserves to play in midfield. [Romeo] Lavia is a better player.”

Fernandez still has eight years left on his current Chelsea contract, and he stands to earn over €85m in wages if he stays with the Blues until his existing deal expires.

Meanwhile, his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) now stands at €50m, having gradually fallen from a peak of €82.7m in mid-2023.

Fernandez is the second most valuable player in Chelsea’s first-team squad - behind Cole Palmer (€56.4m).