Enzo Fernandez BOOED by Chelsea fans at Stamford Bridge as Xabi Alonso secures first home win against Real Sociedad
Enzo Fernandez faced jeers from Chelsea fans during a preseason match, while Xabi Alonso secured his first home win as manager with a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad. Joao Pedro stood out for Chelsea with two goals.
Why it matters
The negative fan reaction toward Fernandez highlights internal friction at Chelsea, contrasting with the team's positive tactical progress under new management.
Enzo Fernandez was greeted by a chorus of boos from a significant portion of the Stamford Bridge faithful during Chelsea's final pre-season clash on Saturday. Despite the frosty reception for the Argentine, Xabi Alonso's side managed to secure a 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad to wrap up their summer schedule.
The atmosphere in West London turned sour when Fernandez was introduced as a second-half substitute in the 62nd minute. The midfielder, who has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City to reunite with former boss Enzo Maresca, faced audible jeers from the stands.
The friction appears to stem from multiple sources, including the player's recent behaviour following Argentina's World Cup success and long-standing rumours regarding his desire to leave. Fernandez even took the captain's armband from Reece James upon his entry, a move that only seemed to polarise the crowd further.
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