Enzo Fernandez Proving to Be a Shrewd Signing for Manchester City

According to The Athletic, there had been concerns over whether Enzo Fernandez’s personality and playing style would suit this Manchester City side, but the early signs suggest that his arrival could prove to be a shrewd piece of business.

Reports have highlighted one of the defining characteristics of Enzo Maresca’s early tenure at Manchester City: the coach places great emphasis on interacting with his players and often stays behind after training to discuss different aspects of the game with them.

For example, Enzo Fernandez would spend extra time working on free-kicks. It was therefore perhaps no surprise when he scored City’s opening goal against Sunderland with an incredible strike from a difficult angle, catching the goalkeeper out at the near post.

Fernandez was named Player of the Match that day. Considering City eventually won 5-3 after taking the lead from a free-kick in the ninth minute, as well as the performances of several other players in what was a wildly entertaining game, the award was somewhat surprising.

Nevertheless, the Argentine has quickly become one of Manchester City supporters’ favourite players.

“In your head, in your head, Enzo, Enzo, Enzo-oh-oh,” they have been singing, to the tune of The Cranberries’ 1994 hit “Zombie”.

There is a particular irony to it. During the summer, a significant section of the Manchester City fanbase had opposed the club’s decision to sign Fernandez. In fact, City had identified him as their top transfer target before the end of last season, with Maresca believing that Fernandez would be a perfect fit for the style of football he wanted to establish at the Etihad Stadium.

As the transfer window entered its final stages, City’s interest in Fernandez intensified. There were plenty of concerns surrounding the move.

In 2024, a controversial video emerged of Fernandez and his Argentina teammates singing a song containing lyrics directed at the France national team. The French Football Federation described the song as containing racist elements.

There were also questions over whether Fernandez was suited to City’s system. His weaknesses without the ball had been highlighted, while his fiery temperament had also raised concerns after he was sent off in this year’s World Cup final.

Yet just two weeks ago, during City’s Champions League away match against Porto — only Fernandez’s second appearance for the club — travelling City supporters had already begun singing his name.

The song had originally been dedicated to Rodri, with the supporters simply replacing the Spaniard’s name with Fernandez’s.

Earlier, during the Manchester derby, City were reduced to 10 men after Phil Foden was sent off but still managed to secure victory. The players who remained on the pitch became heroes, and Fernandez played his part by repeatedly winning free-kicks and going to ground in challenges, much to Harry Maguire’s frustration.

That incident quickly became one of the defining moments of the derby. After clashing with Maguire, Fernandez was soon substituted and had to leave the pitch via the far touchline, enduring abuse from the Manchester United supporters while simultaneously hearing City fans singing his name once again.

Against Sunderland, the chants returned as Fernandez stood over a free-kick. When he somehow curled the ball into the near corner, the noise from the stands reached another level.

After the match, Manchester City teammate Antoine Semenyo was asked whether Fernandez was the kind of player opponents hated while his own supporters adored. Semenyo smiled.

“Absolutely. It’s great to have him,” Semenyo said. “He’s a really good guy, calm and composed, but when he needs to be aggressive, he has that edge. His technical ability is unquestionable. We’re delighted to have him here and hopefully he can contribute more goals and assists.”

When Fernandez left Chelsea, he was a player surrounded by controversy. It was not simply because he had pushed for a move away from the club, but also because of some of his behaviour during Liam Rosenior’s brief spell in charge.

Since joining Manchester City, however, that side of his personality has yet to emerge.

He regularly talks with fellow Argentine Gerónimo Rulli and captain Rúben Dias, while also spending time chatting with different teammates at the training ground.

He appears to have developed a particularly good relationship with midfield teammate Elliot Anderson, something that has also been evident on the pitch.

During the derby, there was one amusing moment when Fernandez was sitting on the grass with his head down and Anderson mischievously kicked the ball towards him. Fernandez looked up as if he was ready for a confrontation, but when he realised it was his teammate, he broke into a smile.

Ahead of the derby, Maresca spoke about Fernandez.

“He has improved enormously,” Maresca said. “Over the past two years at Chelsea, he has transformed more into an attacking midfielder. Earlier in his career, he played in a deeper role. But around the penalty area, his finishing, ability to provide assists and leadership qualities are excellent. He has developed very quickly.”

Maresca was a strong advocate of City signing Fernandez because the Argentine already understands the Italian coach’s tactical ideas and can operate in several midfield positions. Whether playing deeper or further forward, he is capable of carrying out his responsibilities. His movement also covers virtually every area of the pitch.

Although he often operates in advanced or wider positions, Fernandez is also willing to drop into deeper central areas to receive the ball.

Around the time of the 2022 World Cup, Fernandez emerged as one of the most promising midfielders in world football. He primarily operated as a deep-lying playmaker, capable of winning tackles while also initiating attacks from the back.

Since then, however, his style has gradually become more attacking, while his defensive involvement has appeared to decrease.

At that World Cup, Fernandez established himself as a key member of Argentina’s starting XI and played an important role in their triumph in Qatar. He remains an important part of Lionel Scaloni’s team today.

Scaloni’s analyst, Matias Manna, has studied Fernandez’s development and how he should fit into the team.

“Enzo is an No. 8. He needs to adapt according to the dynamics of the game and cover every area of the pitch — without restrictions, he can move anywhere to ask for the ball,” Manna told The Athletic.

“He is responsible for linking the attack. He cannot simply stand between the lines, hold his position and wait for the ball. Enzo plays differently. He is highly functional and represents a typical Argentine midfielder.”

Manna has worked at five World Cups. He has been part of Argentina’s staff at the last three tournaments, while in 2010 and 2014 he worked under Marcelo Bielsa and Jorge Sampaoli respectively with Chile.

He has been a key member of the coaching staff during Argentina’s run to consecutive World Cup finals. He believes that within a well-established Manchester City side, Fernandez can be given the same freedom to express himself.

“If he doesn’t have to invest too much energy pressing and doesn’t have to make long runs chasing opposition centre-backs, he will play better,” Manna said.

“He needs to preserve his energy for receiving the ball, controlling possession, creating chances and making runs into the box to score — those are his strengths.

“Don’t put too many restrictions on Enzo. There is no need to make him spend huge amounts of energy trying to win the ball back. When he can move freely according to the rhythm of the game and have the ball at his feet, that is when we see the best version of Enzo.

“I’m very happy that he has come to the Premier League. It will help him maintain a high level of performance for Argentina.”

That may help explain how Fernandez’s style has evolved over the past few years.

Of course, after joining Manchester City, he is also required to contribute to Maresca’s intense high-pressing system, and he has already embraced those demands.

Manna describes Fernandez as a “natural winner”. That combative mentality is arguably just as valuable as any of his technical qualities.

Manchester City underwent significant changes this summer, selling several players who had arrived the previous year but lacked that same level of competitive drive. Fernandez’s arrival could help the squad develop greater cohesion.

Following the departures of Rodri and Bernardo Silva, City strengthened their midfield with new signings who offer very different qualities.

Anderson has made an impressive start, Ayoub Bouaddi has looked like a shrewd addition, while Fernandez has also delivered the eye-catching performances that were expected of him.