Chelsea face tactical reshuffle with worrying Enzo Fernandez problem for Everton clash
Mauricio Pochettino revealed on Friday afternoon that Enzo Fernandez will be assessed ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Everton on Monday night.
The Argentina international has not trained with the rest of the Blues squad since Sunday evening's stalemate with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Enzo played the full 97 minutes (with stoppage time included) in South Yorkshire in another full match for the 23-year-old midfielder.
Only Axel Disasi, who is also set to be assessed ahead of Monday night's game, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher have played more minutes than Enzo's 3225 this season. Between Enzo and Caicedo, who have formed a double pivot partnership this term, they have played over 7000 minutes for Chelsea in all competitions.
Pochettino has not had too much else to choose from in that regard. Gallagher has been preferred further up the pitch under the Argentine, while Romeo Lavia has featured just once since signing last summer – and will miss the remainder of the campaign through injury. Lesley Ugochukwu is still some weeks away from returning, too, leaving Chelsea very short in the centre of midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka can be used there, but like Gallagher, Pochettino seems to prefer the England Under-21s international in a more advanced role. Cesare Casadei was recalled in January from his loan spell at Leicester City with Pochettino wanting to provide some cover for the likes of Caicedo and Enzo.
However, Casadei has only been on the pitch for 35 minutes in the Premier League and that is spread across four appearances. For whatever reason, Pochettino does not seem to trust the Italian midfielder just yet but he may have no choice than to play the former Inter Milan man on Monday night.
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