Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is reportedly on the verge of blocking Enzo Fernandez’s participation in the Olympics. Fernandez is desperate to introduce Argentina at the soccer event to be held in Paris later this summer.
The Olympic Games are a headache for football clubs. This year, the celebration will be held from July 24 to August 10.
The players will miss a large part of their pre-season campaigns and, if they manage to reach the final, they will continue to participate in the tournament six days before the scheduled start of the Premier League campaign. This challenge has been exacerbated by the presence of Euro 2024 on the summer calendar.
According to the Mirror, former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is willing to allow Fernandez to play in the Games. However, it is claimed that the new coach Maresca will back down because he wants the midfielder to be part of his squad for the preseason.
The Italian coach will need Fernandez to acclimatize to his concepts and be able to integrate into his tactical formula in time for the Premier League season. Teams are not required to release their players for the Olympic soccer event, which is an under-23 tournament.
Fernandez was keen to play for Argentina, but Chelsea were reluctant to let him go. Discussions were planned this weekend about whether or not the 23-year-old would be allowed to participate.
“I feel good after my injury and I’m training normally. I spoke with [Lionel] Scaloni before the injury and I’m very pleased to have won the call-up,” Fernandez said last week.
“I want to go to the Olympic Games. I spoke with [Javier] Mascherano (Argentina U23 coach) and I told him I wanted to go. Let’s see if Chelsea let me go. “
Fernandez had an injury-interrupted season in 2023-24. He underwent surgery for a lingering groin issue in April and missed the final six games of the season.
However, Argentina is expected to come with Fernandez in their team for the Copa America. His participation in this tournament is unlikely to affect his role in Chelsea’s pre-season, with the final scheduled for July 15, the day after the Euro 2024 clash.
Maresca has been appointed as Chelsea’s new head coach. Il has signed a long five-year contract with the Blues, while BlueCo’s three permanent bosses have an average lifespan of just seven months.
The 44-year-old guided Leicester to the Premier League last season. The Maresca Foxes won the championship with points.
We use your registration to provide content in the way you have consented to and as we perceive you. This would possibly include advertising from us and third parties, as we perceive it to be. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy
Would you like to receive notifications from Daily Express?