Jude Bellingham versus Enzo Fernandez. Two of the world's brightest midfield talents are set to go head-to-head this evening at Signal Iduna Park as Borussia Dortmund host Chelsea in the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg.
Two very different midfielders but both are highly regarded as one of the best in their position in world football. A combined age of just 41 – Fernandez being 22 and Bellingham 19 – but with the world at their respective feet.
There are set to be some key battles all over the pitch in west Germany for the first leg of the mouthwatering Champions League tie but none more highly anticipated than Bellingham vs Fernandez. So, with that said, football.london analyses what we can expect when the two midfield maestros go head-to-head this evening.
Jude vs Enzo
Dortmund have often used a 4-3-3 formation when playing in Europe this season so it would not be a shock if Edin Terzic did so again tonight. In that system, Bellingham, who is reportedly valued at around £130million ahead of the summer transfer window, plays as one of the wide central midfielders in an advanced role – often referred to as the No.8.
Meanwhile, when Fernandez played in the Champions League for Benfica, he was used as one of the deepest two midfielders in a 4-2-3-1 formation. That is something similar to what we expect to see from Graham Potter this evening.
In Saturday's Premier League draw with West Ham United, Enzo was used as one of the defensive midfielders alongside Ruben Loftus-Cheek in a 4-2-3-1. Potter could choose something like that tonight, or alternatively, he could bring an extra man into the midfield and use Fernandez as the No.6.
Fernandez's game is a lot more based on possession and keeping the ball ticking over for his side. Enzo, in the group stage for Benfica, had a pass success rate of 91 per cent, in comparison to Bellingham's 84 per cent for Dortmund in the same timeframe.
However, Bellingham is more of a dribbler than Enzo, which you might expect considering his more advanced role. The England international loves to run with the ball and utilise his power, while the Argentine often shows off his clever footwork in tight spaces, but usually not as far up the pitch as the Dortmund star.
As per WhoScored, Fernandez made 19 tackles in his five group matches for Benfica, averaging at almost four per game. Meanwhile, in the same amount of games for Dortmund, Bellingham made eight successful tackles. Fernandez, though, trails with interceptions, with nine to his name in the group stage. Bellingham, meanwhile, has 10.
It's a genuinely mouthwatering battle when analysing it. It's two of the best midfielders in world football coming head-to-head in the greatest club competition on the planet. What more can you ask for?
READ NEXT:
Predicted Chelsea team vs Borussia Dortmund: Benoit Badiashile replacement, Hakim Ziyech returns
Joe Cole makes Chelsea Champions League prediction as Graham Potter faces transfer reality
Graham Potter Chelsea Champions League gamble under scrutiny as Kalidou Koulibaly in firing line
