Enzo Fernandez was booed by a section of Stamford Bridge supporters during Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso’s side finished pre-season with a 3-1 win over the Spanish side as £117million signing Morgan Rogers opened the scoring before Joao Pedro bagged a brace in the second-half.
It was the first opportunity for Alonso to test out Rogers and other players making a late return from the World Cup including captain Reece James, new signing Maxence Lacroix and Fernandez.
And the midfielder received a less than welcoming return to west London, with a vocal portion of fans booing him as his name was read out on the tannoy before kick-off.
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Upon being subbed on in the second-half and donning the captain’s armband, the jeers returned and continued every time the 25-year-old touched the ball.
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Not all supporters felt the same way however, as other fans looked to drown out the boos by chanting Fernandez’s name.
The divisive reaction has been sparked in part by Fernandez’s behaviour during the World Cup, especially when he taunted England fans during and after Argentina’s semi-final win over the Three Lions.
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
But the Blues vice-captain has also been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge for some time, previously engulfing the wrath of the club and fans when he publicly flirted with Real Madrid last season.
While a transfer to Spain is off the table, Manchester City are very interested in reuniting Fernandez with Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea have made it clear that they will only accept an offer of £120m and had told City that they if no bid was submitted before last Friday evening, he would not be sold.
Team Enzo where I was sitting trying to drown out those boos! pic.twitter.com/29ODxuc4pB
That deadline has come and gone, and while the Blues expect Fernandez to stay for the 2026/27 season, City’s interest has not gone away