Enzo Fernandez's season at Chelsea has been one of constant growth. Step by step, the former Benfica and River Plate star, a key figure for the Argentina national team, has shown a new side of his game in the Premier League. And he has reasons to be considered the best midfielder in the world.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Enzo is not only going through the best stretch of his career: he has also established himself as the footballing axis of Liam Rosenior's team. He is no longer a promise fulfilled. He is a dominant reality.

When Lionel Scaloni thinks about the Argentina team that will defend its title in 2026, he imagines Enzo at his peak. What began as a breakout performance in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he played seven games and scored a decisive goal against Mexico, has now consolidated his leadership.

Statistics don't tell the whole story, but they help to understand it. In the current Premier League season, Enzo has 25 appearances, eight goals, and two assists. For a midfield anchor, that production is decisive.

In the UEFA Champions League, he also played eight matches, scored two goals, and recorded one assist. He delivers in England and in Europe. The stage doesn't matter.

But the statistic that best captures his season is another: he leads the league in expected goals (xG) among midfielders. Enzo is no longer just the midfielder who organizes from deep. He is the midfielder who breaks lines without the ball and attacks space like a disguised striker.

The context explains part of this growth. With Moises Caicedo and Andrey Santos providing balance, Enzo is freed up. In several matches, he is seen almost as a playmaker, attacking in the final third and arriving clearly in the box. Furthermore, while Cole Palmer was unavailable, he took charge of penalties.

The Argentine's evolution this season marks a turning point in Chelsea's offensive structure. His heat map is no longer limited to the midfield zone. Now he steps into the final third naturally, identifies high-probability scoring spaces, and dares to finish with determination. The combination of vision and aggressiveness is what sets him apart.

He hasn't lost his composure, but he has gained verticality. He hasn't stopped being the brain, but he has added instinct. The change in 2025-26 is evident: in a high-octane league like the Premier and in today's extremely demanding football, Enzo Fernandez dominates several facets. He is extremely versatile, which positions him as a top-tier player.

To argue that he is the best midfielder in the world, you have to look at the full picture. He impacts the scoreline, leads in advanced metrics in the most competitive league on the planet, and sustains his team's collective performance.

It could have been considered an isolated peak, but that theory is already crumbling like a house of cards. Enzo has consistency and seems to have reached a maturity that enhances all his virtues.

If he maintains this level, Argentina will reach the World Cup with a midfielder at the height of his powers. And that, of course, is exciting. From companion to main protagonist. From being the glue to becoming the axis.

Today, Enzo is at his best. And that moment, in terms of performance, influence, and personality, places him at the top of world football.

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