Fernandez being held back by Chelsea's need to throw him forward

ENZO FERNANDEZ'S indifferent form is emblematic of Chelsea's struggles.

- Nizaar Kinsella

The Argentina World Cup winner arrived for £106.8million with great hope in January but is yet to produce his best at Stamford Bridge and his form is waning as the Blues toil.

Fernandez remains a key player for Chelsea but he has been substituted by Mauricio Pochettino in their past two games due to his lack of impact.

He was withdrawn after 68 minutes in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

That followed another tired 81 minutes in a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth after the international break.

Fernandez had just travelled back from a match against Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz but Pochettino has been forced to keep playing him due to the injury crisis at Chelsea.

The midfielder has shown his quality in spells since his move to Lon but he has failed to make a single key pass in those two matches since his return from Argentina duty.

His recent switch to the No10 position has highlighted his deficiencies.

Fernandez has lacked any goal threat, his only Chelsea goal so far coming against League Two side AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup.