Chelsea boss Maresca hails Fernandez ahead of Benfica Club World Cup clash / Photo: FRANCK FIFE - AFP/File
-
Jamaica's Fraser-Pryce qualifies for 9th World Championships
-
'We must help them': Morocco students get peers back in school
-
Iran holds state funeral for top brass slain in war with Israel
-
Chelsea boss Maresca hails Fernandez ahead of Benfica Club World Cup clash
-
PSG Club World Cup reunion with Messi recalls unhappier times
-
Islanders take Canadian teen Schaefer first overall in NHL Draft
-
Knowles soars with eagles to share PGA Detroit lead
-
Trump hopeful for Gaza ceasefire, possibly 'next week'
-
Ireland's Maguire and American Kupcho seize LPGA pairs lead
-
Australia win first Test as West Indies batting order collapses
-
'Not a god': arguments end in Combs trial ahead of jury deliberations
-
Trump ends trade talks with Canada over tax hitting US tech firms
-
US Supreme Court hands Trump 'giant' win on powers of judges
-
US stocks back at records on US-China trade progress
-
US inflation edges up as Trump renews criticism of Fed chief
-
Springsteen digs into the vault to rewrite his 'lost' '90s
-
Trump withdraws protected status from Haitian migrants
-
Combs defense takes derisive aim at accusers in closing argument
-
UN working for ceasefire in besieged Sudan city
-
Giroud to leave MLS side LAFC
-
Fritz faces lucky loser Brooksby in Eastbourne final, Eala makes history
-
Republican discord threatens Trump agenda
-
Trump ends trade talks with Canada over tax on US tech firms
-
West Indies face daunting chase to win 1st Test against Australia
-
UN officials say new Gaza aid system leads to mass killings
-
NHL and players union agree to four-year contract extension
-
Trump says would bomb Iran again if nuclear activities start
-
'This is about money:' Combs defense slams charges in closing arguments
-
Monaco close in on Fati loan signing from Barca
-
Norris bounces back as McLaren take 1-2 in Austrian practice
-
Tanak leads after tough day at the Acropolis Rally
-
Rwanda, DR Congo sign peace deal in US after rebel sweep
-
Trump says saved Iran leader from 'ignominious death'
-
Hamilton given formal warning as difficult Ferrari start continues
-
Mercedes' Wolff admits interest in Verstappen and possible explosive future line-up
-
Trump hails 'giant win' after top court curbs judges
-
Lewis Capaldi makes triumphant Glastonbury return with surprise set
-
NBA Raptors drop Ujiri as president after 13 seasons
-
Australia build commanding lead in West Indies Test as hosts pay for errors
-
Doctors' aid group slams US-backed Gaza relief scheme over deadly roll-out
-
Evenepoel wins second Belgian time-trial title
-
Norris leads McLaren 1-2 in Austrian practice
-
Orban says police will not disperse Budapest Pride march
-
Bielle-Biarrey to start Top 14 final after concussion recovery
-
Teachers pay dispute shuts schools for months in Nigerian capital
-
US Supreme Court curtails power of individual judges to block Trump
-
Swiatek to play maiden grass-court final against top seed Pegula
-
US Supreme Court upholds Texas age-check for porn sites
-
Brentford appoint former set-piece coach Andrews as new manager
-
US Supreme Court backs parents opting children out of LGBTQ-themed books
Chelsea boss Maresca hails Fernandez ahead of Benfica Club World Cup clash
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca on Friday hailed the contribution of playmaker Enzo Fernandez as the Argentinian prepares to come up against his old team Benfica at the Club World Cup.
"I am very pleased with Enzo especially because first of all he is a nice and polite boy, and then with us since we started he has been working very well in every aspect on and off the pitch," Maresca told reporters in Charlotte.
That is where the sides will face off on Saturday in the last 16 of FIFA's expanded competition.
Fernandez was a vital cog in the Chelsea side that finished fourth in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League, and also featured in their run to the UEFA Conference League title.
At the Club World Cup he came off the bench at half-time to score the second goal in the 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in their opening game.
The 24-year-old has started both matches since, and laid on two goals in the 3-0 victory against Esperance of Tunisia in Philadelphia which clinched Chelsea's place in the last 16.
Fernandez was signed from Benfica in February 2023 for a British transfer record fee at the time of £107 million ($147 million).
In 2025 he has scored and assisted a total of 14 goals.
"This season he struggled a bit at the beginning to understand the way we want to play but (since) then he is doing fantastic also in terms of numbers, goals and assists," Maresca added.
"This is what I want from attacking players -- I have said many times that I prefer to have attacking players with 10-12 goals each than just one striker with 40 goals.
"His contribution has been top and I am sure it will be even better next season."
Chelsea have won all three previous competitive meetings with Benfica, the last coming in the Europa League final in 2013.
But Maresca is wary of the Portuguese side after they beat Bayern Munich to top their group at the competition.
"I think Benfica, not only in this competition, have always shown how big a club they are in Europe," said the coach.
"In the last game they beat Bayern so they showed what they can do. Every game is tough and complicated, and anything can happen."
If Chelsea win they will head to Philadelphia for a quarter-final on July 4.
P.Mathewson--AMWN