Joe Cole heaped praise on Enzo Fernandez following Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Leeds, labelling the midfielder a ‘fighter’ and a ‘warrior’ after an ‘outstanding’ match-winning display at Wembley.
Fernandez made the breakthrough for Chelsea within the twenty third minute, heading home Pedro Neto’s cross after a dominant start from the Blues.
Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin each squandered golden opportunities to level for Leeds within the second period, with Robert Sanchez standing strong after a troublesome campaign for the error-prone goalkeeper.
While there have been some nervous moments for Chelsea within the closing stages, the eight-time FA Cup winners held firm to secure their place in the ultimate of the competition for the seventeenth time of their history.
Calum McFarlane, who took over the reins from Liam Rosenior on an interim basis after Chelsea’s league defeat to Brighton, will lead the club into this yr’s final against Manchester City on May 16.
Fernandez had received his fair proportion of criticism heading into Sunday’s semi-final on the back of some controversial remarks he made within the media, through which he questioned the choice to dismiss Rosenior’s predecessor Enzo Maresca.
However the Argentina international, Chelsea’s all-time record signing, did his talking on the pitch at Wembley – and Cole was filled with praise shortly after the ultimate whistle.
Giving his immediate response to the win on TNT Sports’ commentary, Cole also made sure to spotlight the impressive performances of Sanchez and centre-back duo Trevor Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo.
‘That’s what the fans need to see, they need to see fight and that little spark that was in there,’ Cole, who two FA Cups with Chelsea, said.
‘I assumed the midfield was excellent they usually dominated possession. They played like a team filled with confidence and that takes loads once you’ve had a low spell.
‘Listen, it’s one other cup final for the club and whatever happens with this football club during the last 20 years, you could have to maintain attending to finals, you could have to maintain winning.
‘It’s right down to those players they usually stood up today. You give them credit, I assumed Robert Sanchez was outstanding in goal.
‘Trevor Chalobah on the back with Tosin Adarabioyo, strong, resilient, handled Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
‘That man [Enzo Fernandez] I assumed was outstanding. There have been a number of query marks on him together with his comments made, but when he steps onto the pitch he’s a fighter and he’s a warrior.’
Cole went on to applaud McFarlane for the work he had done in taking charge of a down-and-out squad in such difficult circumstances.
‘That’s what you wish and I’m really pleased with this group of players since it’s been a difficult week for them,’ Cole added.
‘Callum McFarlane as well, it’s a meteoric rise, but you’re Chelsea manager and also you’ve taken them to the FA Cup final so big-up to him.’
Who will win this yr’s FA Cup?
Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard echoed Cole’s comments, claiming there have been ‘a number of positives’ to take from the sport from a Chelsea perspective.
‘I used to be impressed with Chelsea within the second half, even when Leeds were coming into the sport a bit,’ Gerrard said.
‘The sport-management, the structure, the form, I assumed they managed it rather well.
‘Defensively, clean sheet. Lots to construct on, a number of positives.’
In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Chelsea interim boss McFarlane also sang Fernandez’s praises, crediting the midfielder with being the ‘deciding factor’ in the competition.
McFarlane explained: ‘He can definitely do what you wish from a tactical perspective but I feel today essentially the most impressive thing about him was when the tactics went out the window and Leeds were on top, he’s only a fighter and a warrior.
‘We don’t should have the proper game-plan in those moments because he’ll run, compete, tackle and drive players on.
‘In order that’s what I assumed was probably the deciding think about the sport.’
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