Enzo Fernandez points on the pitch. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s most important player against PSG is not Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo or Pedro Neto

Originally posted on Chelsea News | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 2:45 AM ET

Chelsea face a PSG team tonight which is extremely strong all over the pitch. But in the last 6 months, as we’ve seen them sweep all before them in the Champions League and the Club World Cup so far, it’s been clear that their most outstanding area is their midfield.

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Chelsea only have a chance if they shut down PSG midfield

The trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz offers unparalleled control in possession, incredible press resistance and superb creativity. It’s impossible to get the ball off them, and when they get it off you, they go through the gears so quickly.

Shutting them down will be vital, and we are all praying that Moises Caicedo’s ankle has healed enough to allow him to be at full power. But even the Ecuadorian can’t do it alone. If we spend the game chasing the talented Parisian trio, we’ve already lost.

Enzo Fernandez the key for Chelsea to establish themselves against whirlwind PSG

What we need to do is control the ball when we have it, and a lot of the onus of that will be on Enzo Fernandez. This is a huge game for him, after 6 months of really improved form, he now has his most high profile test.

As a leader and a midfielder, we need him to step up and help us keep a foothold in this game, especially early on when PSG’s press and counter attacking speed will be so menacing. If we can survive the early storm, the conditions should take the edge off Luis Enrique’s team – but to do that we need to control the ball and the tempo.

This article first appeared on Chelsea News and was syndicated with permission.

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