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He was definitely a surprise in the first half of the season: Edimilson Fernandes. Long considered a candidate for departure in the summer, he suddenly found himself starting at right-back in the season opener against VfL Bochum, partly due to the injuries to Silvan Widmer and Danny da Costa. The conventional midfielder did his job well, shining thanks to his assist, among other things, as he put himself forward in training as a candidate for more game time – and that exact thing followed. Whether as a full-back, defensive midfielder or later even as a centre-back, Fernandes showcased his importance to the team time and time again and thus became an integral part of Mainz’s three-man backline across the first half of the season. In training camp, head coach Bo Svensson wants to retain the Swiss as a defender. “In defence, he is doing well, but there is still room for improvement,” explained Svensson following the second session in Marbella. In addition to training, he said that the coaches talk frequently with Fernandes and show him videos in order to provide him with “a whole package” to become even more at home in the backline.
Taking his chance through hard work
The decisive factor in the positive development of the 26-year-old, both players and coach agree, both players and coach agree, is the change in work ethic since his return to Mainz last summer. “I resolved to work harder, to train more than the others, to get my chance. I think the coach saw that and ultimately rewarded it,” said the Swiss, who returned to the club following his loan spells with Arminia Bielefeld and Young Boys with new intentions. Fernandes had initially been loaned to Ostwestfalen in the summer of 2021, but lost momentum due to illness and accordingly failed to make an impact. That was why he transitioned to the Swiss capital after just eight competitive games for Bielefeld. “After my time in Bielefeld, I wanted to return to Mainz and assert myself in the Bundesliga,” Fernandes recalled in Marbella.
After my time in Bielefeld, I wanted to return to Mainz and assert myself in the Bundesliga.
Back at FSV, Fernandes took his second chance and worked hard on himself, especially physically. “During my first time in Mainz, I was unhappy that I didn’t play as much, but I only relied on my qualities. That wasn’t enough,” explained the Swiss, critical of his past. “I understood that it takes more to assert yourself here, both physically and mentally.”
Good games, but still room for improvements in his new role
Fernandes has “become more of a man”, and now knows what it takes to get his playing time. Svensson also asserted that the Swiss is much more committed than 18 months ago. “He’s not the loudest in the room, but you can tell that he has gained self-confidence, which he combines with his good attitude to training. He’s focused and has good charisma,” continued the FSV head coach. The 26-year-old no longer justifies his demands for more playing time by being a good football, but also as a result of the attitude he shows.
He doesn’t have to learn lots of new things with the ball because he has lots of the prerequisites.
His new role at the centre of defence is neither a surprise nor a problem for Fernandes, who is more than happy to take on the task. He has to get used to the position first, but Svensson explains what is important in the role. “He doesn’t have to learn lots of new things with the ball because he has lots of the prerequisites,” says the head coach, aware of the quality Fernandes possesses. In terms of “defensive behaviour” he could learn the position better in order to “to bring more consistency to his performances”, and the Dane sees the potential there. “He has put in some very good games and halves, but to consistently reach that top level, he needs the skill off the ball and experience in tackling the position because the situations are different from those in the middle of the pitch,” explained Svensson.
World Cup and contract extension
The reward for his “very good performances”? Selection to the Switzerland squad for the World Cup in Qatar, which was a surprise to Fernandes looking back. “I hadn’t played for a long time, and it was something that I wasn’t focused on. All the better that it ended up working,” said the 26-year-old fully not expecting to be playing at a World Cup. The tournament therefore was an “added extra” for him and gave him “experience and self-confidence”. Fernandes now wants to bring both of those things to the pitch in a Mainz shirt.
His strong performances were also rewarded at the club. In November, the player capped 58 times in the Bundesliga signed a long-term extension with the club until 2026. “It was only logical and the best decision for me,” said Fernandes when the extension was signed. It didn’t appear a difficult decision for the Swiss player, since he described the renewal of his contract as “not a big deal”. When the offer came, it was immediately clear to him that he wanted to stay at Mainz. “I want to grow and develop here, so I’m happy to stay,” said Fernandes looking to the future full of energy.
He was definitely a surprise in the first half of the season: Edimilson Fernandes. Long considered a candidate for departure in the summer, he suddenly found himself starting at right-back in the season opener against VfL Bochum, partly due to the injuries to Silvan Widmer and Danny da Costa. The conventional midfielder did his job well, shining thanks to his assist, among other things, as he put himself forward in training as a candidate for more game time – and that exact thing followed. Whether as a full-back, defensive midfielder or later even as a centre-back, Fernandes showcased his importance to the team time and time again and thus became an integral part of Mainz’s three-man backline across the first half of the season. In training camp, head coach Bo Svensson wants to retain the Swiss as a defender. “In defence, he is doing well, but there is still room for improvement,” explained Svensson following the second session in Marbella. In addition to training, he said that the coaches talk frequently with Fernandes and show him videos in order to provide him with “a whole package” to become even more at home in the backline.
Taking his chance through hard work
The decisive factor in the positive development of the 26-year-old, both players and coach agree, both players and coach agree, is the change in work ethic since his return to Mainz last summer. “I resolved to work harder, to train more than the others, to get my chance. I think the coach saw that and ultimately rewarded it,” said the Swiss, who returned to the club following his loan spells with Arminia Bielefeld and Young Boys with new intentions. Fernandes had initially been loaned to Ostwestfalen in the summer of 2021, but lost momentum due to illness and accordingly failed to make an impact. That was why he transitioned to the Swiss capital after just eight competitive games for Bielefeld. “After my time in Bielefeld, I wanted to return to Mainz and assert myself in the Bundesliga,” Fernandes recalled in Marbella.
After my time in Bielefeld, I wanted to return to Mainz and assert myself in the Bundesliga.
Back at FSV, Fernandes took his second chance and worked hard on himself, especially physically. “During my first time in Mainz, I was unhappy that I didn’t play as much, but I only relied on my qualities. That wasn’t enough,” explained the Swiss, critical of his past. “I understood that it takes more to assert yourself here, both physically and mentally.”
Good games, but still room for improvements in his new role
Fernandes has “become more of a man”, and now knows what it takes to get his playing time. Svensson also asserted that the Swiss is much more committed than 18 months ago. “He’s not the loudest in the room, but you can tell that he has gained self-confidence, which he combines with his good attitude to training. He’s focused and has good charisma,” continued the FSV head coach. The 26-year-old no longer justifies his demands for more playing time by being a good football, but also as a result of the attitude he shows.
He doesn’t have to learn lots of new things with the ball because he has lots of the prerequisites.
His new role at the centre of defence is neither a surprise nor a problem for Fernandes, who is more than happy to take on the task. He has to get used to the position first, but Svensson explains what is important in the role. “He doesn’t have to learn lots of new things with the ball because he has lots of the prerequisites,” says the head coach, aware of the quality Fernandes possesses. In terms of “defensive behaviour” he could learn the position better in order to “to bring more consistency to his performances”, and the Dane sees the potential there. “He has put in some very good games and halves, but to consistently reach that top level, he needs the skill off the ball and experience in tackling the position because the situations are different from those in the middle of the pitch,” explained Svensson.
World Cup and contract extension
The reward for his “very good performances”? Selection to the Switzerland squad for the World Cup in Qatar, which was a surprise to Fernandes looking back. “I hadn’t played for a long time, and it was something that I wasn’t focused on. All the better that it ended up working,” said the 26-year-old fully not expecting to be playing at a World Cup. The tournament therefore was an “added extra” for him and gave him “experience and self-confidence”. Fernandes now wants to bring both of those things to the pitch in a Mainz shirt.
His strong performances were also rewarded at the club. In November, the player capped 58 times in the Bundesliga signed a long-term extension with the club until 2026. “It was only logical and the best decision for me,” said Fernandes when the extension was signed. It didn’t appear a difficult decision for the Swiss player, since he described the renewal of his contract as “not a big deal”. When the offer came, it was immediately clear to him that he wanted to stay at Mainz. “I want to grow and develop here, so I’m happy to stay,” said Fernandes looking to the future full of energy.
