Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez is seriously testing the patience of Chelsea supporters as the transfer deadline appears on the horizon. On Thursday night, the midfielder was missing from the 2-0 win over Luton.
Danny Welbeck got his first goal for Chelsea in his first competitive outing for the Blues with a superb header, before Estevao’s effort was bundled into the back of his own net by defender Hakeem Odoffin.
Chelsea player ratings vs Luton
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Alonso named a strong side to take on Jack Wilshere’s side. Josh Acheampong, Malo Gusto, Maxence Lacroix, Reece James, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers remained in the starting XI from Monday’s win.
It was a largely frustrating night until Welbeck headed home. The Blues hit the woodwork on multiple occasions, including efforts from Rogers and Jamie Gittens. But Fernandez was nowhere to be seen.
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Why Fernandez was missing from Chelsea’s squad to face Luton
Had the likes of Palmer, James and Joao Pedro not been involved, then Fernandez’s absence could have been put down to Alonso resting his best players. But Palmer completed the entire 90 minutes.
Chelsea v Real Sociedad - Pre-Season Friendly
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James and Rogers played almost 70 minutes, but Fernandez was not involved at all. He was not even seen in the stands. Argentine reporter Cesar Luis Merlo claims Fernandez asked Alonso not to include him.
In a damning indictment against the World Cup winner as he looks to force through a move to Man City before the deadline, Fernandez has perhaps crossed the line. For many Chelsea fans, this is the last straw.
Fernandez has surely burned all of his bridges with Chelsea fans
Fernandez is an aggressive player on the pitch, but his campaign to leave Chelsea has been just as intense off of it. In March, his constant flirting with Real Madrid earned a two-game ban under Liam Rosenior.
Enzo Fernandez and Enzo Maresca hugging graphic
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Javier Pastore, the former PSG and Argentina midfielder, is Fernandez’s agent and has been constantly applying pressure to get him out of the club. On Monday, Fernandez snubbed Chelsea fans at full-time.
The midfielder needs to be sold at this stage. It is getting to the point where it is toxic, and if Valentin Barco’s performance is anything to go by, Chelsea have a top replacement already at Stamford Bridge.