Former Anfield favourite Maxi Rodriguez believes Enzo Fernandez is an ‘extraordinary’ player as Premier League giants Liverpool keep tabs on the Benfica midfielder, speaking to TYC Sports.
Giovani Lo Celso’s loss could be Enzo Fernandez’s gain.
Because, with the former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker ruled out of a trip to Qatar thanks to the most ill-timed of injuries, Benfica’s rising star could be set to benefit, only two months after making his Argentina debut. Life, as they say, comes at you fast.
An impressive World Cup will only ramp up the speculation surrounding Fernandez’s future too. Sky Sports say that Liverpool are keeping tabs on a man who joined the Portuguese leaders in a bargain £18 million deal in the summer, despite interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manchester City and rivals United are also taking an interest.
Liverpool will be watching Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez at Qatar World Cup
And Maxi Rodriguez, the former Liverpool and Argentina attacker, believes Enzo Fernandez has the mentality and the intelligence to thrive on the biggest of stages, despite his tender age and a serious absence of international experience on his CV.
“He is an extraordinary player. Very complete,” says the 2014 World Cup runner up. “Elite players, playing for the national team, have to be like that.
“(You need) speed of thought, and knowing how to locate yourself (on the pitch). You don’t have to run 15 kilometres. If you run a lot, it catches up with you.
“He’s a very interesting player.”
Fernandez, who is reportedly valued at around £44 million by Benfica, has three goals and five assists for Roger Schmidt’s high-flying side already. He’s also picked up six yellow cards. Clearly, like so many of his compatriots, Fernandez is not afraid to engage in the dark arts; a buzzing blend of tenacity and technique.
“(It is) absolutely surprising the level at which he plays at,” says the former Porto coach Jose Peseiro. “At only 21 years old!
“The best player I worked with was (Zinedine) Zidane, at Real Madrid. Of course, I don’t want to compare. But I’m talking about Enzo’s passing and surprising vision; a bit like Zidane.
“Enzo is 21 years old? Either that’s a lie, or he’s a genius!”
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