Fernandez Thriving at Chelsea after Getting to Grips with Maresca’s Positional Demands

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
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Fernandez Thriving at Chelsea after Getting to Grips with Maresca’s Positional Demands

Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Brentford - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 15, 2024 Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez applauds fans after the match. (Action Images via Reuters)

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez struggled to live up to his hefty price tag following his arrival at the club in January last year but the Argentine says his recent upturn in form is down to developing a good understanding with coach Enzo Maresca.

Fernandez, who cost Chelsea 106 million pounds ($132 million), started six of their first seven league matches this season but failed to impress and was dropped to the bench in place of Romeo Lavia.

However, since his return to the side last month Fernandez has looked revitalized, bagging three goals and four assists in seven Premier League games and helping Chelsea climb to second.

"I learned the position in which I had to play, over time I got the idea of what the coach wanted," Fernandez told ESPN in an interview published on Monday.

"He (Maresca) explained to me what he wanted and I was getting the concept, reading the games. There is still a long way to go.

"On a personal level I have been feeling very good. The team has shown a very strong character, always working and with humility and showing that great things can be achieved. There is still a long way to go."

Chelsea next host London rivals Fulham on Thursday before travelling to face Ipswich Town on Dec. 30.



Saudi Junior Weightlifters Clinch First Place at Asian Championships 2024

File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.
File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.
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Saudi Junior Weightlifters Clinch First Place at Asian Championships 2024

File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.
File photo of Saudi Arabia's flag.

The Saudi junior weightlifting team secured first place at the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championships 2024, held in the Qatari capital, Doha.
The championships featured over 290 male and female weightlifters from 22 countries. The green juniors dominated the event, scoring a total of 575 points and winning 10 medals, SPA reported.
Mohammed Al-Zouri stood out with a gold medal in the clean and jerk and a bronze in the total. Adding to the team’s feats, Aqeel Al-Jassim earned two silver medals and one bronze. Abdullah Al-Muhaimid contributed three bronze medals, while Youssef Al-Madarham and Mohammed Al-Helaiw each secured a bronze.
The Saudi youth team finished in third place with 594 points.