Enzo Fernandez was booed by some Chelsea fans as he returned to club action for the first time this summer in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge.
The 25-year-old midfielder was given an extended break after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina – a match in which he was sent off as Spain beat the South Americans in extra time.
He returned to training with Chelsea this week and was on the bench for Saturday afternoon’s clash with Sociedad, coming on after 62 minutes for the Blues’ new big-money signing Morgan Rogers.
Fernandez booed by large sections of the fans at Stamford Bridge but others chanting his name. A polarising figure. He takes the armband from Reece James. pic.twitter.com/6T9D2bc4V7
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) August 15, 2026
As Fernandez was announced to be entering the fray, there were clear boos around Stamford Bridge, although they were tempered by some cheers as well. His name being read out over the tannoy ahead of Chelsea’s players emerging for the pre-match warm-up also received a smattering of boos from the handful of fans who had taken their seats early.
There has been intense speculation over the Argentine’s future, with Chelsea setting a deadline of 5pm on the Friday just gone for clubs to meet their £120m valuation for the player. Manchester City, now coached by ex-Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, are keen on signing Fernandez but didn’t submit a bid ahead of that Friday deadline.
Chelsea now expect the player to remain at the club until next summer, although their deadline had no official relevance, meaning Fernandez could still be signed before the end of the transfer window by City – or another club – should all parties agree.
It is unclear whether the uncertainty over Fernandez’s future or his antics at the World Cup – where he also scored Argentina’s equaliser against England in the semi-final and celebrated by cupping his ears in front of the supporters – was the catalyst behind the booing.
Club captain Reece James was substituted off at the same time Fernandez came on, so the Argentine pulled on the armband for the remainder of the game despite the polarised reaction to his presence
Chelsea won the Real Sociedad friendly 3-1, with Rogers opening the scoring after just 11 minutes and Joao Pedro then scoring twice in the second half.
Xabi Alonso’s side will next be in action when the games become real, with their Premier League opener seeing them face west London rivals Fulham next Monday evening (24 August).