Enzo Fernández was met with boos from sections of the Chelsea support during his second-half appearance in a friendly match against Real Sociedad, which Chelsea won 3-1. The reaction came less than 24 hours after the club's self-imposed transfer deadline had passed, amid speculation surrounding the midfielder's future.
Fernández had reportedly expressed a desire to join Real Madrid earlier in the summer, before the Spanish club ended their interest. Subsequently, his representatives held talks with Manchester City, but no offer was made to meet Chelsea's £120 million valuation before Friday's deadline. Despite the transfer saga, manager Xabi Alonso signaled his support by passing the captain's armband to Fernández as Reece James left the field.
During his time on the pitch, each touch of the ball by Fernández was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers, with some fans also applauding when he was fouled. This divided reception reflects ongoing discontent among some supporters regarding his perceived disloyalty, stemming from public statements about his desire to move and his agent's claims about his salary.
While the club appears to be expecting to retain one of their key players, the situation remains a point of contention for some fans. The article notes that other Premier League clubs' supporters might react similarly, referencing Fernández's past actions after Argentina's World Cup semi-final victory over England. This issue could persist whether he remains at Chelsea or if Manchester City decides to revive their interest before the September 1 transfer deadline.
The match itself also offered a glimpse into Alonso's potential tactical blueprint for the season. New signing Morgan Rogers scored on his debut, and Joao Pedro continued his strong pre-season form with two goals, contributing to the 3-1 victory.