Enzo Fernandez interview: 'I want to follow in Frank Lampard's footsteps at Chelsea and win lots more trophies'

Enzo Fernandez smiles at the mention of his 92nd-minute winner against West Ham last Saturday. Another highlight in a season of many. It was goal number 11 of the campaign and just the latest to come from a run into the box reminiscent of Frank Lampard.

The 25-year-old has undergone a transformation from deep-lying playmaker to Lampard-like goalscorer at Chelsea. And it turns out he has been doing his homework on a club legend who briefly acted as his head coach between Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino.

"He's an inspiration," he tells Sky Sports. "I've watched a lot of videos of Frank since coming to Chelsea. I've seen how he got into those last metres of the pitch and how he got into the box."

Now Fernandez is doing it himself. In fact, he has an exactly equal number of goals as Lampard from his first 151 appearances, with 27, all of them scored with the same Chelsea shirt number on his back.

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"During the time he was our coach, I didn't play in this position, I played further back, so I couldn't talk to him much about it. But I've been watching and learning from his videos since I came to the club.

"He was an exceptional player and a legend here for Chelsea. I don't like to be compared to him, because he has achieved a lot more here than I have. He's an idol. I hope to follow in his footsteps at Chelsea."

Clearly, there is a long way to go to match Lampard's achievements. But Fernandez has packed a lot into his three years. Those 151 appearances and 27 goals. But also five head coaches, two trophy wins, and a gradual justification of his £107m price-tag.

It is never dull at Chelsea and while his outstanding performances this season have prompted rumours of interest from Real Madrid, Fernandez, now vice-captain, and a leader on and off the pitch, does not sound like a player in any kind of hurry to move on.

"I'm grateful for the three years I've had at the club," he says. "It's gone from worse to better. Being here today makes me very happy.

"I want to keep winning things with the club, because that's what this shirt demands. I'm very connected to the club and I feel very good, so I hope to win a lot more trophies here."

He will not be adding the Carabao Cup to his haul after Chelsea's semi-final defeat to Arsenal. "Obviously there's anger at not being able to play in another final for Chelsea, but I'm proud of the team for giving everything over the two games," he says.

There is, though, still plenty to play for this season.

Chelsea are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and vying to finish as high as possible in the Premier League ahead of Saturday's visit to Wolves.

Few players will have a bigger role than their World Cup-winning midfielder in how it all turns out. Fernandez has contributed more goals and assists than any other Chelsea player since the start of last year and was described this week as one of the best players in the Premier League by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

"I want to thank him publicly for saying those words about me," says Fernandez. "I'm grateful to hear it from a legend like him."

His gratitude extends to the club and its fans for helping him overcome the struggles that followed his arrival from Benfica.

"I give 100 per cent every day, in every training session. Every time I have the opportunity to defend Chelsea and wear the shirt, I give my best, because they put their faith in me.

"I want to give that back to them on the pitch. Obviously, now I see and I feel that I am doing well. I also want to thank the Chelsea fans, who always show me their love. I feel very close to them."

Carragher's analysis of Fernandez focused on his goalscoring. "He is one of the best box-crashers we see in the Premier League, permanently getting on the end of things," he said.

It is a talent modelled on Lampard but one Fernandez is now honing under new head coach Liam Rosenior. "He's a great coach," he says. "He only arrived a month ago but he's showing all his potential.

"Football doesn't give you time. It only wants results. That's what it is. But he is managing to get results and he gives us a lot of confidence, so we're very happy that he's with us. We've all felt how we are growing, both as a group and me on a personal level."

Fernandez is being encouraged to act on his attacking instincts. Opta's advanced data shows he has made more runs making him an option for a cross than any other Premier League player this season and Rosenior is asking for more of the same.

"I've enjoyed being able to add goals and assists to my game," he says. "The coach gives me freedom. He gives me freedom to express myself in the last few metres of the pitch and I've been feeling good.

"We have a game plan for each game and it's what Liam asks for. He gives us freedom in the final third and I try to get there, into the box, so my team-mates have another option.

"It's something I have worked on in training. But the most important thing, I think, is also being in a good condition physically to get into those last few metres in the box, because I play in midfield and I have to get up and down a lot in my position.

"I feel prepared for that now. I prepare myself for those moments."

He admits he found it difficult to meet the Premier League's physical demands initially. Rosenior's predecessor Enzo Maresca cited physicality after dropping him for Romeo Lavia early last season.

But his improvement is clear. Fernandez has played more minutes than any of his Chelsea team-mates this season and ranks among the Premier League's top 15 players for distance covered.

"I've been trying for a long time to feel this way, to be as competitive as I am now," he says. "Consistency is very important. I'm giving 100 per cent every day, in every training session, in every match, and I think that leads to great results."

Fernandez is the proof. He is of course an outstanding technical player, above all, but he now relishes the growing physicality of English football, with its emphasis on duels and set-pieces most recently showcased in Tuesday's game against Arsenal.

"I like it. For me, the Premier League today is the best league in the world, so the physical level is exhausting. But I enjoy it. I think it's very important to be prepared to play every three days at this level."

Fernandez tries to make himself available to his team-mates as well as his head coach in his role as vice-captain behind Reece James.

It is clear that leadership comes naturally to him.

"It's about being available for the group, for my team-mates, and, in this case, for the new coach, and supporting them every day," he explains. "There have been a lot of changes, so it's also about asking my team-mates how they are, how they are feeling with the coach.

"I think the human side of leading is very important. Sharing with my team-mates, on and off the pitch, is very important to me. I always try to support them and be with them. If they need help, advice, or anything else, I am always available to help."

There is no doubting Fernandez is helping now, as a leader, as a goalscorer and as one of the best players in the Premier League, determined to drive Chelsea towards further success.

Follow Chelsea's Premier League meeting with Wolves at 3pm on Saturday across Sky Sports digital platforms from 1.30pm; watch free match highlights from 5.15pm

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