It was another disappointing result for Chelsea on Tuesday night despite salvaging a point deep into stoppage time against Bournemouth.

If it was not for the right foot of Reece James, then things would feel even bleaker for the Blues, who are now without a win in their last five Premier League matches. This is undoubtedly the first really challenging period of Enzo Maresca's reign at Stamford Bridge.

Despite another frustrating result for Chelsea supporters, there were at least some positives to take from the game. Enzo Fernandez's performance was indeed one of them with the Argentine showing his value to Maresca in the 90-plus minutes he was on the pitch in SW6.

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Fernandez created seven chances against the Cherries as he continued his fine recent form. In fact, in the Premier League this season, no central midfielder has created more opportunities from open play than the Chelsea star, according to WhoScored.

The 23-year-old created the most chances versus Bournemouth, while also registering more passes in the attacking third (20), more successful ball recoveries (11) and more successful passes into the final third than any player on the pitch. Fernandez was bought for well over £100million in January 2023 and it took him a while to finally establish himself within a setup at Stamford Bridge, but under Maresca over the last couple of months, he has certainly done that.

His importance to the team is so high, he has played the full 90 minutes in the last 10 Premier League matches. The last time he didn't play the full game, he actually came on as a late substitute in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal - and provided the assist for Pedro Neto's equalising goal in the London derby.

His stats this season compared to last make for really positive reading. In 26 starts last season, Fernandez scored three goals, registered two assists and created 32 chances. This season, however, Fernandez has started 10 fewer matches, while scoring three goals, providing four assists and creating 41 chances for his teammates.

It was one of Fernandez's best performances of the season on Tuesday night and it is not a coincidence that display came with Romeo Lavia in the team. The Belgian has recently returned from a hamstring injury; making his first Premier League start in over a month against Bournemouth.

When Lavia is in the XI, there is so much more balance within the Chelsea setup. Moises Caicedo usually starts at right-back and tucks into the midfield to play alongside Lavia, while Fernandez is given more of a free role further up the pitch; something that allowed him to create seven chances on Tuesday.

Chelsea do not have the most depth in the centre of midfield and there is likely to be even fewer players to choose from soon with a few being linked with a move away from the club in this month's transfer window. Cesare Casadei appears likely to return to Italy on a permanent deal, while there are several clubs interested in signing Carney Chukwuemeka.

Some Chelsea fans have called on the club to recall Andrey Santos from his loan spell at sister club Strasbourg. The 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder has been in sparkling form over in France, where he has scored seven goals and registered one assist in 17 appearances in all competitions this season.

Santos is benefiting from the loan system massively at the moment and there should be no hasty decisions made by the club to bring him back. There is absolutely no guarantee Santos would get game time at Stamford Bridge should he be recalled. Instead, it would likely hinder his development.