English Premier League
Chelsea fans turn on Enzo Fernandez amid Real Madrid and Manchester City links
Enzo Fernandez was booed by a section of the Chelsea support during the club’s 3-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, as uncertainty continued over the midfielder’s future.
The match was Chelsea’s final pre-season fixture before the new campaign begins, but Fernandez’s return to action was overshadowed by the reaction from some supporters. The Argentina international came on in the 64th minute, replacing captain Reece James, who handed him the armband before leaving the pitch.
According to French outlet RMC, Fernandez was met by jeers when he entered the match. It was his first appearance for Chelsea since returning from the World Cup, where Argentina lost the final to Spain 1-0.
Not all of the home support shared that response. Another group of Chelsea fans applauded Fernandez and welcomed him on to the pitch. The strength of the boos gradually reduced as the game continued, while the atmosphere eventually became more positive.
Sky Sports reported that the crowd ultimately began chanting: “Oh, Enzo Fernandez.”
The hostile reaction was linked to frustration among some Chelsea supporters, who blame Fernandez for wanting to leave the club this summer. That anger has been heightened by Chelsea’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Fernandez caused controversy earlier in the summer when he spoke about his ambition to play for Real Madrid at some point in his career. Those comments led to him being left out of Chelsea’s squad for two matches.
The midfielder has now also been linked with a possible move to Manchester City. City’s interest has emerged amid the possibility of Rodri leaving for Barcelona, while Fernandez’s former Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, is regarded as one of his strongest admirers.
Fernandez joined Chelsea’s pre-season preparations after his return from international duty and was introduced late in Saturday’s match against Real Sociedad. Chelsea went on to secure a 3-1 victory, giving the club a winning finish to its preparations for the new season.
However, the response to Fernandez highlighted the tension surrounding his position at Stamford Bridge. Supporters’ opinions were divided from the moment he stepped on to the pitch, with some expressing their displeasure while others showed their backing through applause.
The uncertainty has been fuelled by both Fernandez’s comments about Real Madrid and the reported interest from Manchester City. With Chelsea outside the Champions League and the player’s future the subject of growing speculation, his reception during the final pre-season game provided a clear indication of the pressure surrounding him before the competitive campaign begins.
