Let us be honest: handing Enzo Fernandez the Man of the Match award after Manchester City’s wild 5-3 win over Sunderland felt like a surprise.
Yes, he rifled in the opening free-kick that caught Robin Roefs completely sleeping at his near post to give them the lead, but by the time the final whistle was blown, it looked as if he was part of the problem behind their defensive frailties.
His announcement as the official MOTM drew boos from the Sunderland supporters. Yes, Brian Brobbey made a compelling case to win it after scoring his hat-trick which justifies the reaction, but it also raised questions about Fernandez’s long-term role in the side.
Why Enzo Fernandez Is a Tactical Conundrum for Man City
Fernandez’s talent has never been in doubt as explained by his £125 million price tag as the joint-record British signing, and he has looked the part in moments since his arrival.
His chipped assist for Erling Haaland against Porto in the Champions League was pure art, and he showed serious steel when City went down to 10 men in the Manchester derby.
However, his capability when the team does not have the ball is what is questionable. Under Enzo Maresca, Fernandez has at times operated as a roaming No 10.
Instead of locking down the center, he drifts out toward the touchline or in the right half space. Considering City are trying to replace Rodri, a midfielder who was central to City's midfield control in recent seasons, his lack of positional discipline ends up imbalancing the squad.
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How Enzo Fernandez's Positioning Is Leaving Elliot Anderson Exposed
Against Sunderland, that lack of discipline was brutally exposed. While the game descended into an end-to-end basketball match, Elliot Anderson was overwhelmed trying to cover those wide spaces.
As Maresca acknowledged after the game, City lacked balance.
What Enzo Fernandez's Role Means for Rayan Cherki
To make matters trickier, City also have Rayan Cherki, a magical No. 10 who thrives when he has absolute freedom.
If Maresca wants to unleash both Cherki and a roaming Fernandez, someone has to do the dirty work. Otherwise, Anderson could face an unsustainable defensive workload.
City spent a decade ruling the Premier League by suffocating opponents through midfield control and numerical superiority.
Now, Enzo is giving them moments of individual quality, but they urgently need him to anchor himself in the engine room before defensive problems become a regular occurrence.
