When will Enzo Fernandez return to Chelsea? The Argentine faces an awkward pre-season meeting after a wave of racist chants

Enzo Fernandez is likely to face an awkward return to Chelsea for pre-season after being involved in racist chants.

The midfielder unleashed fury after destination a video of him and his teammates from Argentina apparently singing a discriminatory chant.

The images, which followed Argentina's victory over Colombia in the Copa America, were quickly criticised by many of Fernandez's French teammates.

The song makes reference to how many French players have African descent and was described by Wesley Fofana as 'uninhibited racism'.

The defender stopped following Fernandez on Instagram, Axel Disasi, Benoit Badiashille, Malo Gusto, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku and Malang Sarr quickly followed suit.

Fernandez has since apologised for the video and Chelsea responded with a statement confirming internal disciplinary proceedings.

When will Fernandez return to Chelsea?

The 23-year-old is currently on holiday and it has not yet been decided when he will report for pre-season.

The earliest Fernandez could return to his Blues teammates is Monday night, July 29.

FIFPro guidelines suggest players should have three weeks off after an international tournament, although this is not mandatory and stars can choose to return to domestic training after two.

If Fernandez takes the full three weeks off, he will miss four of Chelsea's five games during the club's tour of the United States.

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That would leave Enzo Maresca with the decision of whether the midfielder heads to the United States for his final match.

Alternatively, Fernandez could remain training with those left out of the tour at Cobham, with Marc Cucurella and English duo Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher the other three Chelsea players to have featured in international tournament finals.

In this scenario, his only chance to play a pre-season friendly would be against Inter Milan on August 11, just seven days before the club's Premier League debut.

If Fernandez returns after just two weeks off, he will be available for three games in the United States and the clash against the Nerazzurri.

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By the time Fernandez submits his report, Chelsea would be expected to have completed their investigation into the incident.

In a statement, the Blues said: “Chelsea Football Club believes any form of discriminatory behaviour is totally unacceptable. We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.

“We acknowledge and appreciate our player's public apology and will use this as an opportunity to educate.

“The club has initiated an internal disciplinary procedure.”

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On Instagram, he said: “I want to sincerely apologize for a video posted on my Instagram channel during the national team celebrations.

“The song includes some very offensive language and there is absolutely no excuse for those words.

“I oppose discrimination in all its forms and I apologize for getting carried away by the euphoria of our America Cup celebrations.

“That video, that moment, those words, do not reflect my beliefs or my character. I am truly sorry.”

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It remains to be seen what course of action to take. Chelsea Take it out on Fernandez, but Darren Bent He feels like he should be more concerned about his teammates.

The former Tottenham player explained that the Argentine has irreparably damaged some relationships.

Speaking to talkSPORTHe said: “It's not a good image for Enzo Fernandez at all, it really isn't.

“Before Wesley Fofana posted that post on social media, I hope they (his Chelsea teammates) would have contacted him first and asked him 'what are you playing?'

“But they will never look at him the same way again, regardless of whether he apologizes and says he should never have done this.

“Even if he stands there in front of his Chelsea team-mates and says, 'I'm deeply sorry for what I did', they'll never look at him the same way again.

“At this moment, he is the one who is presenting the video. It is quite clear that it is not the first time that he sings this song and it is not the first time that they (the Argentine national team) sing this song because everyone is happy, everyone is singing and everyone is joyful because they just won the Copa America.

“But at the same time, in that relaxed environment and with things as easy as they were, his teammates will never trust him in the same way again.”