The Argentine midfielder joined Chelsea in a £106million transfer last year and says that he has been unable to perform at the level that saw him play a pivotal role in his country's World Cup win in 2022.

In an interview with Chelsea's website, Fernandez said: "I'm trying to get there, to the version of me that you saw at the World Cup. I want to feel like that Enzo, that was playing at the World Cup.

"I want to get back there. I feel good, getting better each day, but I still don’t feel like I'm at 100 per cent.

"I'm still adapting and still don't feel entirely myself, but I'm trying to get there as quickly as possible and working hard every day in order to do so."

Fernandez has joined the Blues during a challenging period that has seen wholesale changes to the squad but has fallen in love with the Premier League.

He said: "In my opinion the Premier League is the best in the world. It is so dynamic with so many quality players. I think it's the best. I always saw the Premier League on television. The intensity, the atmosphere, it was different.

"Now that I'm actually experiencing it, it's incredible. The first six months were difficult for me. I found it hard to adapt but now I feel so much more prepared than at the start. But I'm enjoying it so much."

Chelsea have struggled for consistency in the league this term but Fernandez hopes the season can end with silverware in the form of the FA Cup – where they take on Manchester City in the semi-finals next weekend.

He said: "We are all trying to do our best, every one of us. We can still win a trophy this season.

"We're in the semi-final of the FA Cup against Manchester City and we believe in this group and the coaching staff and everything they bring to every training session and every game."