Enzo Fernandez Defended as Chelsea Captain Amid Racism Controversy

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has publicly defended his decision to appoint Enzo Fernandez as captain for the team's Premier League opener against Manchester City, despite recent controversies surrounding the midfielder. Fernandez, who led the team in the absence of suspended captain Reece James, faced backlash after posting a video that featured him and his Argentina teammates singing a racist chant during their Copa America celebrations. Maresca, however, believes that Fernandez remains a respected leader within the squad. Maresca emphasized that Fernandez's leadership qualities were recognized by his teammates, stating, "I can see that his teammates, they recognize him as a reference, like a captain." He noted that Fernandez had already taken on captaincy responsibilities during pre-season and reiterated the importance of acknowledging mistakes. "Enzo made a mistake, he recognized the mistake, and it’s finished," Maresca added, suggesting that personal growth should not lead to lifelong punishment. The controversy erupted when Fernandez's Instagram live stream captured the Argentina squad singing a chant deemed racist and transphobic. Following the incident, Fernandez issued an apology and was fined by Chelsea. Despite this, Maresca appointed him as vice-captain ahead of the new season, reinforcing his belief in Fernandez's potential to lead the team positively. Looking ahead, Maresca expressed optimism about the team's progress, stating, "I didn’t expect the team to already be this [far] ahead... we are getting better and we will have days where we win games and we will be happier."