ITV pundit Joe Cole has praised reported Liverpool transfer target Enzo Fernandez, after his goal for Argentina last night.
Fernandez put the cherry on his team’s 2-0 win over Mexico, with a late thunderbolt into the top corner. And speaking to ITV after game, Cole raved about what he’d seen from the 21-year-old.
“I think he’s perfect for this team, he’s a very box-to-box player, he’s got energy,” said the former Liverpool player. “He’s also got this in his game [the goal], he can finish, he can score goals, he’s got a lovely strike on him. He didn’t do it in the first game. [He’s a] Young player, maybe it was too much for him, but that’s a lovely finish.”
Liverpool are said to be keen on bringing the Benfica player to the club next summer.
Fernandez shows his eye for goal
Cole’s description of Fernandez makes him sound like the perfect midfielder for Liverpool, let alone Argentina.
The Reds are currently missing a box-to-box successor to Jordan Henderson. They reportedly see Jude Bellingham as being the rightful heir to that throne, but perhaps Enzo could be, too.
Either way, it would be helpful if whoever eventually replaces the Liverpool captain could get on the scoresheet more often than he has.
In 465 games for the Reds, Hendo has just 33 goals. Not an awful record, necessarily, but one that could certainly be improved.
Fernandez on the other hand has three goals in 24 games for Benfica this season. If he carries on at a similar rate, he’ll have closer to 60 goals in the same number of games as Henderson.
The youngster also bagged 12 goals in 51 games for former club River Plate.
Again, it isn’t prolific by any means, but then that isn’t really his job. By the looks of things though, Fernandez would be great at doing what he needs to do, whilst also adding a little more pizzazz.
It remains to be seen just how far Liverpool take their interest in the Argentina midfielder. If he carries on catching the headlines like he did last night though, his list of suitors may start to become a little longer.
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