Enzo Fernandez forced into apology as Chelsea U-turn on Mauricio Pochettino call
Enzo Fernandez has publicly apologised to Argentina's Olympic manager Javier Mascherano after Chelsea blocked him from competing at the Paris Games.
The midfielder burst onto the scene when he picked up the Young Player of the Tournament award as his country won the World Cup in 2022. And after his move to Stamford Bridge, he was one of the few bright points during a difficult season for Chelsea last term.
The Blues' disappointing campaign led to Mauricio Pochettino surprisingly leaving his job. Before departing, Pochettino had given Fernandez permission to play in France at the end of July.
But Fernandez has claimed new boss Enzo Maresca has revoked that permission. The desperately disappointed 23-year-old has now revealed his sadness at not being allowed to play.
"I did everything possible. Mauricio was at Chelsea before, he had given me the OK. Then, there was a change of coach and the club changed its position. I tried, I kept talking, I did everything possible to be there, but it wasn't possible, " he said.
"I apologise to Masche [Mascherano]. I wanted to be there. It didn't happen. Hopefully at another time I'll get the opportunity. They were hard weeks before an important competition like the Copa América, with the National Team.
"I made the decision because I couldn't take it anymore. I was in a lot of pain, I was playing uncomfortable, I couldn't run. I had injections to be able to continue playing at Chelsea until I made the decision to have surgery.
"There were eight dates left until the end of the tournament and I already wanted to have surgery. Chelsea didn't want to because we were playing for Cup positions. Today I am here, I am very happy."
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 25: Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina battles Alexis Sánchez #10 of Chile during a Copa America 2024 Group A match between Chile and Argentina at Metlife Stadium on June 25, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Chelsea are understood to want Fernandez to get some rest and recuperation once the Copa America ends. He missed the final six games of the season for the Blues with a groin injury, but was still called up by Lionel Scaloni.
The Olympic football competition would not finish until a week before the start of the new Premier League season in August. That would likely mean that Fernandez would miss virtually all of Maresca's first pre-season in charge.
As it is, Chelsea have stepped in to block any call-up and ensure Fernandez will be involved in pre-season training instead. The midfielder is currently representing Argentina at the Copa America in the United States.
He was an unused substitute for the opening day win over Canada, before starting the second game victory over Chile. Argentina wrap up their group stage campaign against Peru in the early hours of Sunday morning, having already secured their place in the quarter-finals.
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