Chelsea has shared an encouraging update regarding Enzo Fernandez’s fitness as he prepares for a pivotal summer for both himself and the club.
Fernandez has been included in Lionel Scaloni’s preliminary squad for Argentina as they gear up for the Copa America.
Despite missing Chelsea’s last six matches of the season due to surgery for a chronic injury, the 22-year-old midfielder remains a strong contender for the tournament.
As reigning World Cup champions, Argentina is set to play friendly matches against Ecuador and Guatemala next month before launching their Copa America campaign.
Scaloni’s initial squad of 26 players will be narrowed down before the competitive matches commence two weeks later.
Fernandez’s season was plagued by injury, forcing him to play through pain for an extended period.
In a statement online, he explained, “I needed surgery after enduring pain for about six months. I managed to avoid it with injections and medication, but the pain became unbearable recently, affecting my training and performance. I didn’t want to miss games.”
Despite these challenges, Fernandez made 40 appearances for Chelsea, although he struggled to replicate the performance levels of his initial months in England.
Looking ahead, Fernandez is focused on a strong summer to regain his top form for Chelsea.
If he secures a spot in Argentina’s final 23-man squad and progresses to the Copa America final, he will have just two weeks of rest before Chelsea’s pre-season tour in America, beginning with a match against Wrexham.
Chelsea’s players will be returning from various international commitments, including a significant number expected to participate in Euro 2024 in Germany, before heading to the USA.
Whether Mauricio Pochettino will remain as manager during that time is still uncertain.
Reflecting on the season’s end, Fernandez praised his fellow Argentine, Pochettino, stating, “When I arrived, the situation was chaotic with many players.
Mauricio brought order and identity to the team, changing everything positively. The team now works harder and more seriously, which shows on match days.”
The Copa America starts on June 20 and runs for three weeks.
Chelsea is set to play five matches over two weeks following the tournament before the Premier League season begins on August 17.
This update comes at a critical time for Fernandez, who has had a mixed season due to his injury.
His initial months at Chelsea were promising, but the lingering injury issues impacted his performance.
The surgery he underwent was necessary to address a problem he had been managing with injections and medication for about half a year.
Fernandez’s determination to continue playing despite the pain reflects his commitment, but it eventually became clear that surgery was unavoidable.
The upcoming Copa America is a significant event for Fernandez, both in terms of his international career and his fitness.
Being named in the preliminary squad is a testament to his abilities and importance to the Argentine team.
The tournament will serve as an important platform for him to demonstrate his recovery and readiness for the next season.
For Chelsea, Fernandez’s return to full fitness is crucial.
The club will be looking to build on the foundations laid by Pochettino, who has been credited with bringing much-needed stability and direction.
Fernandez’s comments about Pochettino highlight the positive impact the manager has had on the team.
Bringing order to a previously chaotic situation has been a significant achievement, and the team’s improved work ethic and seriousness are testaments to this transformation.
As Chelsea prepares for the new season, the integration of players returning from international duties will be essential.
The pre-season tour in America will offer an opportunity for the squad to gel and for Pochettino, if he remains at the helm, to further instill his philosophy.