Enzo Fernández endured a mixed reception from Chelsea supporters as the Blues secured a 3-1 pre-season victory over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Argentine midfielder was booed by sections of the home crowd, with the reaction coming a day after Chelsea’s self-imposed transfer deadline passed without a move for the player.
Chelsea, under new manager Xabi Alonso, delivered an encouraging display, with João Pedro scoring twice while Morgan Rogers marked his first appearance for the club with a goal.
However, Fernández’s reception became one of the major talking points of the evening.
The midfielder had reportedly been interested in joining Real Madrid earlier in the summer, but the Spanish giants subsequently abandoned their pursuit.
His representatives also held discussions with Manchester City, although the Premier League champions did not submit an offer matching Chelsea’s £120m valuation before Friday’s 17:00 BST deadline.
According to BBC Sport, some supporters began expressing their displeasure even before the game started.
Fernández was booed when his name was announced approximately 45 minutes before kick-off.
The stadium announcer later avoided reading the substitutes’ names, while the midfielder again faced boos when he entered the game in the 62nd minute.
The reaction was not entirely negative, however, as other sections of the crowd responded by chanting his name.
Fernández also received backing from his teammates.
When captain Reece James was substituted, he handed the armband to Fernández, underlining the midfielder’s continued importance to the squad.
His involvement remained divisive throughout his appearance, with his touches drawing both cheers and boos. Some supporters even celebrated when he was fouled.
The hostility follows a turbulent summer for Fernández, who had openly indicated his desire to move to Real Madrid.
His agent, Javier Pastore, also claimed that the midfielder is underpaid.
With the transfer window now moving towards its final weeks, Chelsea appear set to retain the 25-year-old for the time being.
Alonso’s decision to introduce him and allow him to wear the captain’s armband suggests he remains central to the manager’s plans.
Fernández could nevertheless remain under close scrutiny when the Premier League campaign begins, particularly in light of the controversy surrounding his celebrations and social-media activity following Argentina’s 2022 World Cup semi-final victory over England.
Manchester City could still make another attempt to sign him before the Premier League transfer deadline on September 1, but Fernández currently remains a Chelsea player.
For Fernández and Alonso, the priority will now be preventing the summer transfer saga from becoming a distraction as Chelsea prepare for the new season.
