Need to know
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is missing from the club's tour of Australia
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea applauds the fans following the team's defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea applauds the fans following the team's defeat in the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City(Image: Getty)
Why is Enzo Fernandez not in Chelsea squad for pre-season friendly vs Western Sydney Wanderers?
Left out: Enzo Fernandez was heavily involved in the late stages of this summer's World Cup, representing the Argentina national team all the way to the final, where his nation lost 1-0 to Spain. His deep run meant he finished his exhausting international duties much later than most of his club teammates, necessitating an extended period of rest and recovery before resuming domestic football. This means he won't play in the tie against Western Sydney Wanderers in Sydney, which is set to get underway at 10.45am.
Recuperation: The World Cup final took place on July 19, which was only a little over a week prior to the pre-season fixture in Australia. It is standard practice across top European clubs to grant players a mandatory break of at least three to four weeks following a major summer tournament to prevent physical burnout and mitigate potential injury risks.
Strategy: Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso strategically decided to leave Fernandez entirely out of the 27-man travelling squad heading down under for the Sydney Super Cup. The decision ensures that the high-profile midfielder can physically and mentally recuperate properly before re-joining the main group to prepare for the gruelling 2026/27 Premier League campaign.
Other players missing: Fernandez is certainly not the only prominent player missing from the Chelsea camp for this specific 10.45am kick-off, as other senior internationals like Pedro Neto and Reece James were also left behind. Their collective absence provides an opportunity for younger academy prospects and fringe players to secure valuable playing time and impress the new head coach during these exhibition games.
Tour squad: The Blues' coaching staff clearly prioritised bringing a blend of youth and newly acquired talent on the Australian tour, rather than forcing established senior figures like Fernandez to travel. The Argentine star can gradually build up his base fitness under controlled conditions in the coming weeks, completely avoiding the compounding fatigue associated with a taxing long-haul flight to the Southern Hemisphere.