Pochettino ‘ANGRY’ over Enzo Fernandez transfer rumours

Robin Bairner

• 8 Feb 2024 09:39 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has fired back at the suggestion that Enzo Fernandez could leave the club in the summer.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that the Argentine is open to leaving Stamford Bridge.

Enzo offered a response during Wednesday’s FA Cup encounter against Aston Villa by netting the third goal in a 3-1 victory and celebrating in a passionate manner at the end of the match – but it was pointed out that he did similar when playing with Benfica immediately before his switch to Stamford Bridge a year ago.

Pochettino defended Enzo’s performances, which have been criticised following a club-record €121 million move.

“We live in an era when it is easy to abuse public people and it is normal that the players are human and not robots. These types of situations make us angry, they are completely unfair. He showed his quality,” he said. “It is so important creating a very good energy between our fans and the players because the players need help from the fans, who were fantastic tonight.”

Pochettino defends Enzo

The Argentine pointed out that the midfielder arrived in a difficult context.

“There is no doubt he is a world champion player. When he signed a year ago, he arrived after two years with no holiday or rest, with the pressure and still young. There was the different language and environment, a team that needed time to build and all these circumstances need time,” Pochettino said.

“I don’t want to annoy the people by making excuses, I believe in the player but don’t want to compare him to anything or create expectations that is not the reality. I want to help the player try to build something.”

Enzo’s agent also denied claims that the player is seeking an early exit from Chelsea, where he is under contract until the summer of 2031.