During Chelsea’s pre-season clash with Real Madrid, Fernandez assumed the captain’s armband from Reece James, hinting that the Argentine midfielder has been chosen as Maresca’s new deputy.
Although an official announcement has yet to be made, the Blues’ boss believes the situation is “quite clear.”
In recent weeks, Fernandez has been a controversial figure, having posted a video of himself and several Argentina teammates singing a racist song about French players, which sparked what could have escalated into an international diplomatic incident. Despite Fernandez’s apology, the incident left Chelsea management furious.
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When questioned about whether Fernandez is officially the vice-captain following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid, Maresca provided a telling response.
“He’s one of the important players. To be honest, I think when we changed Reece, he gave the ‘bracelet’ to Enzo, and this shows how Enzo is respected inside the squad. I think it’s quite clear.”
Chelsea is set to play Inter Milan on Sunday in their final pre-season friendly before they open their 2024-25 Premier League season against Manchester City.
This upcoming match will be a crucial test for the team as they finalize their preparations and solidify their lineup, with Fernandez’s leadership role being an important factor to watch.