Manchester United legend Roy Keane waxed lyrical about Chelsea midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, saying the pair totally dominated the midfield within the FA Cup Fourth Spherical replay towards Aston Villa on Wednesday night time (February 7).
Chelsea, eleventh within the Premier League standings, secured a 3-1 win over fourth-placed Aston Villa of their FA Cup Fourth Spherical replay at Villa Park on Wednesday. Conor Gallagher, Nicolas Jackson, and Fernandez had been on the scoresheet for the Blues whereas Moussa Diaby scored the comfort purpose for the Villans.
Keane Lauds Fernandez & Caicedo For Dominating Efficiency In Chelsea’s Win Over Aston Villa
Talking to ITV Sport, the ex-United captain Keane mentioned (through Metro):
“Absolutely excellent. The 2 of them dominated that midfield. Villa had been very poor however they appeared sturdy, they appeared aggressive, their passing was brief, their decision-making was wonderful.
“They had been sturdy and bodily. The 2 midfielders for Chelsea – excellent.”
Fernandez, 23, accomplished 43 passes with 91% accuracy, delivered 5 correct lengthy balls, made 4 recoveries, and gained three floor duels. His associate in crime, Caicedo, in the meantime, accomplished 55 passes with 95% accuracy, gained a game-high 9 duels, and drew 4 fouls. The 22-year-old additionally made two recoveries and carried out two clearances.
Keane Says Fernandez’s Free Kick Was ‘Lovely’
Along with fully bossing the midfield, Fernandez additionally scored a gem of a free-kick within the 54th minute. Standing over the lifeless ball round 30 yards out, the Argentine dispatched a thumping right-footed drive. Filled with tempo, the ball swerved and zipped into the top-left nook of Villa’s purpose.
ENZO FERNANDEZ THAT IS OUT OF THIS 🌍
The @ChelseaFC midfielder hits a chic free-kick into the highest bins 🤤#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/wBG78QVXe8
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 7, 2024
Keane actually loved Fernandez’s free-kick, saying it was a “high quality” strike from the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner.
The Irishman added:
“I can see why the referee gave that free-kick and the strike is simply high quality.
“It’s important to put it within the prime nook, he’s going through his team-mate who is a superb goalkeeper, what a free-kick. Tempo, whip. As quickly because it left his foot you thought it had an amazing probability. Lovely.”
Celebrating the purpose, Fernandez took off his shirt and confirmed the again of it to the away followers. He repeatedly gestured he was right here to remain, dismissing rumors that he was in search of a untimely exit in the summertime window.
