Enzo Maresca ready to welcome Enzo Fernandez back, but fans told him he has downplayed the song situation
Enzo Maresca has played down the situation with Enzo Fernandez as the Chelsea boss prepares for his return to the first team.
Fernandez sparked fury last week when he shared a video of himself and some of his Argentina teammates singing a song. racist and discriminatory chant after his victory in the Copa America.
His Chelsea Teammate Wesley Fofana criticised the song, which refers to how many French players have African heritage, as “uninhibited racism”, and the club announced an investigation.
Other players also unfollowed him on Instagram, and Fernandez later issued an apology and ahead of his return for pre-season, the Blues boss Maresca addressed how he thinks it will turn out.
Asked if he thinks there will be any problems in bringing him into the team, he replied: “I don't think so, to be honest. In the end, they are all human beings, I don't think there are any bad intentions on the part of any of them.”
“So I don't think that when Enzo comes back we will have any kind of problem. As I said, the player has already clarified the situation, the club did the same so there is nothing to add. Once again, I think they are not bad people or bad human beings.
“It could happen, but I don't think there's any problem. I've spoken to Enzo, I've spoken to all of them, but as I said, the player has already made a statement, he has apologised, so it's pretty clear.”
But former West Ham manager Kevin Nolan believes Maresca has played things down but feels his pain given he is only a month into his new role.
Speaking on talkSPORT's Breakfast Show, he said: “The first big job you've got, you've just moved from Leicester, you go to your team, you're trying to get everyone cohesive and together, and you've got to deal with this problem.
“No matter what he said, he played it down. That's what he has to try to do in order to deal with it internally and I think that's what's going to have to happen.
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“You know it yourself, being part of the locker room when these kinds of things happen, there will be a lot of lads who will be upset by what has been said.
“There will be some guys who will give him the benefit of the doubt and there will be some guys who will say, 'Well, he actually made a mistake. ' But how do you get everyone to come together in that unity? There will probably be some meetings.”
“I would suggest that, firstly, the players sit down and think about what everyone will think when he comes into the dressing room. And, secondly, when he comes into the dressing room, whether his apology will be accepted, because the apology has to be sincere.
“It can't just be a statement on Instagram or X. It can't be that, it has to be the sincerity of someone sitting in front of you saying, 'Look, I made a total mistake and I'm sorry.'”
It is not yet clear exactly When will Fernandez return? toward Chelsea squadwho have flown to the United States for their pre-season tour.
The Blues will face a variety of opponents as they approach the start of the new Premier League season, with Wrexham their first test Thursday morning UK time.
Celtic, Club América, Manchester City and Real Madrid are their next opponents in the United States before Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge to host Inter Milan in their final friendly.
