Julian Nagelsmann shows Chelsea how to unlock the 'next Toni Kroos' amid £107m transfer hope

Julian Naglesmann has shown Enzo Maresca how to unlock Chelsea's very own Toni Kroos. The 34-year-old midfielder, who raised eyebrows when he announced his retirement from professional football late last month, put on a masterclass as Germany stormed past Scotland in the opening Euro 2024 group-stage clash.

Florian Wirtz fired the home nation ahead inside the opening ten minutes, then Jamal Musiala doubled his country's lead just moments later. Shortly before half-time, Kai Havertz extended Germany's lead to three with a deft penalty.

Niclas Fullkrug piled on the misery in the second half before Scotland clawed one thanks to an own goal by Antonio Rudiger. In the dying embers of stoppage time, Emre Can, who was introduced in the 80th minute, etched his name on the scoresheet.

While the likes of Musiala and Wirtz lifted the supporters from their seats, Kroos put on a playmaking clinic. The midfielder completed 99 per cent of his passes against Scotland (101 out of 102); the highest completion rate on record since 1980 by any player to attempt over 100 passes in a game at the European championships.

Kroos was pulling the strings in the middle of the park; Callum McGregor, Scott McTominay and John McGinn couldn't get anywhere near him. The way Naglesmann used him as a deep-lying playmaker shows Enzo Maresca exactly how to use Enzo Fernandez at Chelsea.

The new Blues boss will need the Argentinian dropping deep to receive the ball and dictate possession, facing play – just like he did under Frank Lampard and Graham Potter. Speaking to the press in May 2023, Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer outlined Fernandez' best position.

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Lampard said: "My personal view with Enzo is that he can probably play in all the midfield roles, but seeing him train and play, I get the feeling from him that he has more to offer than as a single number six.

"I haven’t actually asked him that question (his best role). In my time here, it’s just been a fact that he is the most natural number six in a midfield that doesn’t have many natural number sixes.

"Fair play to him, he’s never once said to me, ‘That’s not for me’. His attitude is to do the best for the team, but going forward I think he can join into the game a lot more. We saw bits of it against Manchester City where he played in a double number six slightly higher up the pitch, and he’s got a really good eye to play forward."

Then, when Mauricio Pochettino took over, Fernandez was – strangely – pushed further forward into a role which required him to cover far more ground than necessary. He showed his quality in the final third, but in transition he sometimes struggled – especially during a period where he was nursing a groin issue.

Since undergoing surgery, Fernandez has been revitalised and, in a new role, Maresca could transform the £106.8m-rated maestro into the west Londoners' very own Kroos.