“When I arrived, it was quite a mess.” “I was harming the team and didn’t want to expose myself.” -Chelsea star admits he ‘harmed’ the team and says Mauricio Pochettino fixed squad ‘mess’

Enzo Fernandez has commended Mauricio Pochettino for “providing order and identity” to the club and acknowledges that playing through injuries this season was “harming” Chelsea’s performances.

The World Cup champion from Argentina is now sidelined for the remainder of the season after having surgery last month. For much of this season, he has needed painkilling injections to play for Chelsea because of a hernia problem.

Only slightly more than a year ago, Fernandez moved to Chelsea for £106.8 million from Benfica, and the midfielder has attributed Pochettino with greatly enhancing the cohesiveness of the team.

It was a big mess when I got there, Fernandez remarked in a DSports interview.

To the squad, Mauricio provided direction and identity. There is a distinct attitude to work. He made good changes, to be honest.

The crew works harder and more seriously. Everyday matters, and you can tell the difference on the weekends.

Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea with boss Mauricio Pochettino
Mauricio Pochettino has been hailed by Enzo Fernandez for changing Chelsea (Action Images via Reuters)
Fernandez now hopes to recover from his injury in time for Argentina’s Copa America campaign, which kicks off on June 20 against Canada.

For eight months, Fernandez claimed, he was experimenting with pain and injections.

I had to choose surgery, and it was the right choice. Not wanting to expose myself, I was hurting the team.

People may rest, I’m OK. Daily improvements are making me look forward to the Copa America.

I’m already back on the field training, and I’m hoping to be training with the national team shortly.

Being my first Copa America, I’m really looking forward to it.