- Fernandez received an incentive bonus in place of suspended captain Reece James
- He caused controversy over the summer when he was filmed singing a racist song
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all about to begin!available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended his decision to make Enzo Fernandez captain before the defeat to Manchester City, despite the racism storm that overshadowed the summer.
In the absence of captain Reece James, Blues head coach Maresca handed Fernandez the captain’s armband ahead of his team’s season opener against the Premier League champions.
Fernandez was part of a group of players filmed singing a racist chant towards a black Frenchman after Argentina beat Colombia in the Copa America final earlier this summer.
FIFA is currently investigating the video, but Maresca said: ‘I think Enzo is one of the captains of this team, not just one team, we have Reece and a few other captains.
‘That’s why I see that his teammates recognize him as a reference, as a captain.
Enzo Maresca defended his decision to make Enzo Fernandez (pictured) Chelsea captain against Manchester City
Fernandez sparked a racism storm on Instagram after winning the Copa America with Argentina
Maresca (right) claims that ‘we all make mistakes’ and that the incident ‘is over’
“He was already captain in pre-season when we substituted Reece in a game. We’ve all made mistakes in the past. When we make a mistake it’s important to acknowledge it and that’s it.
“I don’t know about you, but I’ve made mistakes in the past and I’ve acknowledged that. If you make a mistake as a human being and acknowledge it, I don’t think you’re punished for life.
‘Enzo made a mistake, he admitted it himself and there is nothing to add to that.’
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, says prolific striker Erling Haaland is on a par with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the Norwegian started his season with a prolific goal tally.
Haaland’s opening goal takes the striker’s tally to 91 goals in 100 games for City since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
“The figures are for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: 91 goals in 100 games in England,” Guardiola said.
‘I had the feeling that at the moment, after the break, he feels better than last season. [Last summer] He felt tired, this season – Norway not at the European Championship, he rested, he feels good, the goal was great.’
Erling Haaland (pictured) meanwhile was praised by Pep Guardiola for scoring ‘the numbers are for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’
Guardiola (pictured) added he was ‘impressed’ with his team in their season opener
Guardiola said of his team’s victory: ‘I was impressed, I didn’t expect this level and this effort.
‘What a privilege and honour to be the manager of this group of players, what they have achieved.
‘So good news, three points. Enjoy the moment, relax, one more week to prepare for Ipswich and West Ham and then the international break, then we have the team to stay the whole season.’