Maresca says Chelsea star ‘can do better’ – and reveals youngster could return from injury against Djurgården | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says Enzo Fernandez “can do better” than he has this season.

The Blues midfielder has been in good form of late, scoring once and setting up four goals over the last four games.

Fernandez endured a difficult start to life at Chelsea after making a huge £107m move from Benfica, but Maresca says he is encouraged by the improvement he is seeing from the 24-year-old.

“For Enzo, I think we are trying with him, since day one, to get more goals and assists,” he said.

“In terms of numbers, he’s improved a lot. I still think he can do better, I still think in the way we play, he’s a player that can score between 10 and 15 goals each season.”

Chelsea have recently welcomed back Romeo Lavia from injury and Maresca believes the Belgian’s return can also help to bring more out of Fernandez.

“With Romeo, Moi (Caicedo), Enzo, Cole, I think it’s a strong midfield,” he said.

“I don’t think if Lavia is fit that it means there is no room for Enzo. Probably with Romeo and Moi, we can support Enzo a bit better defensively because we don’t need him defending too much.

“When Romeo was injured, most of the time Enzo dropped next to Moi and tried to help Moi to defend a little bit more.

“I think with all the players fit, the team is better and they are all better players.”

Maresca also explained that he sees Fernandez as more of an attacking player, responding when asked what his best position is: “Where he is playing now, for me.

“Enzo on the ball, when we have the ball, since we start is playing always in the same position. Sometimes in the right side, sometimes in the left but he’s the same position.

“Off the ball when Romeo is not fit, or Moi is not fit, he’s defending a little bit more but I saw Enzo immediately as a player that can be dangerous arriving in the box, scoring goals and assists, and I think between the goals and assists he has very good numbers this season.”

The Blues take on Djurgården in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday, leading 4-1 from the first leg.

Maresca could welcome back striker Marc Guiu for the tie, who has been out since February with a hamstring injury.