N'Golo Kante could help unlock Enzo Fernandez's full potential upon his return to Chelsea.
After seven months out following hamstring surgery, Kante is scheduled for tomorrow's home game against Everton to celebrate his long-awaited return.
Any return is of course likely to come off the bench first but just seeing him in a Chelsea shirt will cheer everyone up at the club. Much has changed since Kante last drew 1-1 against Tottenham in August.
Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter, his old midfield partner Jorginho was sold to Arsenal and Fernandes signed for a British record £106.8 million.
Fernandes has made an impressive start at Chelsea. Since joining in January, he has averaged the longest and most progressive passes per 90 minutes of any Premier League midfielder to play 300+ minutes.
But in their Champions League first-leg defeat to Borussia Dortmund, the way Karim Adeyemi rolled at half-time revealed potential weaknesses in his game.
The lack of recovery pace has also been highlighted by the unflattering statistics at the end of February, which made him the midfielder with the most dribbles in Europe's top five leagues. Switch to a protected 3-4-3 formation Fernandez.
He is less exposed in the new system, has fewer places to take cover,, and has more defenders around him. It allows him to express himself further up the pitch, as he did with his superb pass for Kai Havertz Leicester's goal last weekend.
Formation changes contribute to the upward trend in yields. Chelsea has won three games in a row to take some of the pressure off Potter, but in the long term, the club is looking to adopt a more fluid playing style and a back four.
This can manifest itself in a 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders. Simply put, Kante can help Fernandez as a "double pivot". In a 4-3-3 or three-man alternative midfield system, the Argentinian star will act as the sole center, allowing Kante and Mateo Kovacic or Mason Mount to act as No. 8 from box to box.
Kante's ability to be fully fit to cover the pitch is key for Fernandes to take more risks and choose his moments to move forward. At the end of the season, Tuchel emphasized the importance of Kante for Chelsea.
"He is our Mo Salah, our [Virgil] van Dijk, our [Kevin] De Bruyne," said the German. "He's just that player. Our Neymar, our Kylian Mbappe."
Kante's return from injury is a huge boost for Chelsea and there is no doubt his physical woes are now over. After hamstring surgery, a lot of care and time was spent on getting his rehabilitation period right.
Kante returned to full training three weeks ago but was held back to arrange his return. The new deal was signed to show Chelsea's faith in Kante, 31. It will likely be a two-year contract with an option for an additional year.
The deal will be treated with priority and will allow him to return for a key role in the finals from tomorrow. His absence was seen as a key factor in Chelsea's disappointing season. But alongside Fernandes, Potter hopes his return can turn things around for Chelsea after the international break.
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