LATEST NEWS: “An exceptional player” – With 126 touches and 108 passes, the Chelsea star delivered an outstanding performance for his national team.
Chelsea’s Progress Halted as International Break Begins
Chelsea’s momentum of five consecutive victories was interrupted just before the international break, with Nottingham Forest managing to hold them to a frustrating draw at Stamford Bridge. Despite this setback, Chelsea’s early season form continues to affirm that replacing Mauricio Pochettino with Enzo Maresca was a wise decision.
Maresca’s Influence at Chelsea
Since Maresca’s arrival from Leicester, Chelsea has been transformed from a directionless squad to a legitimate contender for a top-four finish. The rapid turnaround is remarkable, especially considering the large and disorganized squad he inherited from last season. Although some may be surprised by how quickly the team has improved, Chelsea’s strong start is not entirely unexpected, given the quality of their roster. With many of the club’s talented players performing at a high level, the 2024/25 campaign has already become one to watch closely.
But how did Chelsea’s leading players perform during the international break?
Chelsea Players’ Contributions During the October Break
England Selections
For England, the international break was eventful. Chelsea’s stars Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Levi Colwill returned with significant news that former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel will take charge of the England national team in 2025. Palmer, who has been in spectacular form with six goals in six matches this season, maintained his high standards. Although he didn’t score or provide an assist during the break, he was named England’s Player of the Year, highlighting his growing influence.
Levi Colwill had a mixed experience internationally. He was excluded from England’s win over Finland but played in their dramatic loss to Greece. Meanwhile, Noni Madueke has remained an essential part of the squad, though his impact during this window was less pronounced.
Nkunku and Felix’s International Performances
Christopher Nkunku enjoyed a productive international break with France, scoring a goal in their 4-1 win over Israel. For Portugal, Joao Felix had a quieter time, playing only two minutes as a substitute in their 0-0 draw against Scotland after being benched for the 3-1 win over Poland. His Portuguese teammate Pedro Neto did not feature against Scotland but started against Poland, delivering a key pass and completing all three of his dribble attempts.
Enzo Fernandez’s Standout Play for Argentina
Enzo Fernandez, the Argentine midfield maestro, returned to international duty with Argentina and continued the impressive form that contributed to their Copa America triumph. Argentina drew 1-1 with Venezuela but crushed Bolivia 6-0, with Lionel Messi grabbing a hat trick.
Although Fernandez didn’t score, his display against Bolivia was outstanding. He dominated the midfield, earning an 8/10 rating from GOAL for his calm and composed play. The statistics underscore his performance: Fernandez had 126 touches and completed 108 of 113 passes, leading both categories among all players on the pitch. He also won three of six duels and completed seven of nine long passes, showcasing his vision and range.
While Fernandez has yet to fully replicate this form for Chelsea this season, his performance with Argentina serves as a reminder of his immense talent. Maresca will surely be looking for Fernandez to deliver similar displays when club football resumes.