'Harming the team' - Chelsea's Fernandez opens up on injury and Pochettino

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 May 2024 18:41 BST
• 3 min read

Enzo Fernandez has admitted that his playing with an injury for six months was 'harming' Chelsea.

The Argentine World Cup winner has recently been sidelined after finally undergoing groin surgery on a problem that had been plaguing him for half a year. In an Instagram post published shortly after his medical procedure, the 23-year-old revealed that he been regularly playing despite his issue.

This revelation shed some light on why Chelsea's erstwhile record signing had often looked underwhelming in the earlier parts of the season and why there was a growing body of evidence to suggest that Mauricio Pochettino's side are better off without the €120 million midfielder.

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This evidence has only been further backed up by Chelsea's much-improved form in recent weeks. Speaking DSports, Fernandez has admitted that he was actively 'harming' the team by playing despite not being fully fit.

Fernandez on injury and Pochettino

"I'm fine, people can stay calm," Fernandez began. "I'm getting better day by day and I'm really looking forward to the Copa America. I had to make the decision to have surgery and it was the right one. I was harming the team and didn't want to expose myself."

"I have already started training on the pitch. The recovery is advanced and I hope to be training with the national team soon. I am very eager for this Copa America, it will be the first time I play in it."

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Fernandez also spoke about much-criticised compatriot Pochettino, who recently hinted that he could quit Chelsea despite their good end to the campaign. "When I arrived [in January 2023], it was all hullabaloo, there were many players."

"Mauricio gave order and identity to the team, the work ethic is different. He changed everything and it is positive. The group is more serious and hard-working and you can see the difference on the weekends."