Enzo Fernandez set to be controversially handed key leadership role at Chelsea weeks after racism storm

ENZO FERNANDEZ is set to be named one of Chelsea’s vice-captains.

It opens up the possibility that Fernandez could captain Chelsea for their first game of the season with Reece James suspended, although another vice-captain could take the armband.

Getty

Getty

The move comes weeks after Fernandez filmed himself and some of his Argentina team-mates singing a racist song following their Copa America victory.

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana described the clip, which references some French players’ African heritage, as being “uninhibited racism.”

Fernandez apologised to his Blues team-mates when he returned to the squad and Fofana later said the incident was “finished.”

The Argentine playmaker was handed the armband by James during Wednesday’s defeat to Real Madrid .

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca said: “He’s one of the important players.

“To be honest, I think when we [substituted] Reece, he gave the armband to Enzo and this shows how Enzo is respected inside the squad. I think it’s quite clear.”

James is suspended for the first three games of the season, which means Fernandez could lead the Blues out when they take on Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18.

Chelsea have concluded their investigation, resulting in Fernandez donating to an anti-discrimination charity which the club will match.

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Boss Maresca said: “We all feel very comfortable, very good, as Enzo is back. He had a chat with all of us just to clarify there were no bad intentions and the lads all accepted that.

“Since yesterday’s session, everything was like before in terms of they were all together, all speaking, all laughing. Normal situation.”

Asked about the meeting, Maresca added: “It was between me, Enzo, and a few players to just clarify the situation.

“There is nothing more to add. There is not any mystery behind it. We all make mistakes. We have to be good to apologise as sometimes we struggle even to apologise. Enzo apologised already four or five times.

“They all accepted it. Everyone is speaking with each other, everyone is laughing.

“This is exactly what I expected because I knew there was never any bad intentions and they are all good people. But all of us, sometimes we make mistakes.

Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca

ENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.

Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.

His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.

He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.

His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.

Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.

He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.

He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.

Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.

He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”

During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.

“The meeting was between Enzo, some team-mates, Wes Fofana was there.

“They spoke with each other. It is normal sometimes that the first reaction is not always good when they argue, the first interaction is not good.

“But thinking about it a little bit, day after day, you can understand there was not any bad intention.”