Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez is now going to miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery.

It had been reported that he has been struggling with pain for a while now, and it does feel as if he needs some time off the pitch to get back to his brilliant best.

Fernandez was forced to miss a game recently due to the injury too, with him not being present for the 6-0 drubbing of Everton.

Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images

Mauricio Pochettino searching for Enzo Fernandez replacement

In that game, Mauricio Pochettino needed to find a new player to partner Moises Caicedo in the base of midfield.

He decided to go for Conor Gallagher, allowing for a more attacking look to the rest of the side in front of them.

The duo performed really well together, with some wondering if the Argentine had actually stumbled across his best midfield based on the fitness of everyone at this stage.

There were questions asked about the decision to rush a clearly struggling Fernandez back into the side for the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, a move which shoehorned Gallagher in on the left of attack.Conor Gallagher has great chance to prove himself

Reports are still prevalent that the club are considering selling Gallagher at the end of this season, with his status as a homegrown player making him an attractive prospect to part ways with and help balance the books.

It does feel as if the Number 10 role is not for him, and now he has a chance for the rest of his campaign to prove that he can do a job deeper in midfield.

If he can do this, it may be able to convince those who are in charge of transfers that selling him this summer is not worth doing, and he has a role to play even if that is not part of the starting side regularly going forwards.