The midfield battle between Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister fascinates me and could be pivotal to the outcome of the Carabao Cup final.
They are World Cup-winning team-mates, of course, and their relationship is probably even closer because neither started the tournament for Argentina, but both forced their way into the side after the opening defeat by Saudi Arabia.
When you’ve been on a wonderful journey together like that, it creates a really strong bond, which is why I’ve heard Mac Allister be publicly supportive to Enzo during some tough times at Stamford Bridge.
Playing against close friends can be more complicated than fans might think. Whichever adapts best this afternoon could have the key to whether it’s going to be red or blue ribbons on the cup.
The battle between Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister could decide the Carabao Cup final
The World Cup winning teammates will square up for Liverpool and Chelsea at Wembley
You can stop each other’s passes and turns by reading them better than a normal opponent would. Psychologically, are you going to fall over to get a cheap free-kick if it’s going to get your friend into trouble?
I remember my old team-mate Bobby Zamora hated playing against John Terry because they’d been good pals since childhood.
I enjoyed facing familiar foes. I remember playing for Fulham at Anfield and the ball bobbling into the box as Steven Gerrard ran in. I did clear it but caught him in the face causing him a split lip. He wasn’t happy but I thought: “I couldn’t have left the challenge just because we’re good mates”.
Adding to the intrigue is that Mac Allister and Fernandez have the responsibility to make things happen and change the game.
With Wataru Endo providing defensive security for Liverpool and Moises Caicedo for Chelsea, both have a real chance to express themselves.
They will both want to increase their goal output. Mac Allister hit 12 for Brighton last season and I saw Fernandez’s calm finish at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago.
He’s got it in him given the licence to express himself. Incidentally, they both scored for Argentina at the World Cup.
Right now, I’d have Mac Allister ahead of his Chelsea rival. He’s more savvy to playing in England and has a greater body of work. At £35million rising to £55m, Liverpool got better value for money than Chelsea did for Fernandez, who became the most expensive player in Britain when he arrived.
I do think the criticism given to Fernandez is enhanced because of the price tag. That’s football.
This final is probably bigger for him and Chelsea because Mac Allister and Liverpool still have the Premier League title and Europe to go at.
Whether he feels it or not, there is pressure from Chelsea fans and the outside world, because the reality is they expect more from a £105m player.
If he turns in a man-of-the-match performance or scores the winning goal, it will go a long way to changing perceptions.
Jurgen Klopp’s side beat Chelsea 4-1 last month, but Liverpool’s injuries have changed things
Chelsea’s impressive performance to draw at Manchester City will be a massive boost
Liverpool’s injury situation and Chelsea’s impressive draw at Manchester City make this a more even game than it looked at the end of last month, when Jurgen Klopp’s side won 4-1 in the league.
Confidence and belief can come and go quickly and the way Chelsea performed at Manchester City a fortnight ago will have given them a massive boost. Even so, I expect them to start cautiously to match Liverpool’s customary energetic first 20 minutes.
I’ll be at the match doing some work with former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise. It will be fun, but I’ll also be envious of my two sons who will be in with the Liverpool fans.
As a midfielder, I like to think of it as the most important position on the pitch. With two World Cup winners up against each other, it really is on this occasion.
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