Enzo Fernandez admits he has not yet spoken to Chelsea about representing Argentina at this summer’s Paris Olympics. The midfielder has made himself available to manager Javier Mascherano but the final decision will be down to Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino who, as a result, has been saddled with a tricky decision.
With the Olympic Games starting less than two weeks after the Copa America final, Fernandez would be in for a busy summer if he is selected in both squads. The midfielder is a regular in Lionel Scaloni’s fully-fledged senior side, and as a 23-year-old, he would be an ideal pick to meet the age requirements in Mascherano’s Olympic line-up.
Speaking to DIRECTV Sports, Fernandez said: “I have the possibility of going and I would love to go to the Olympic Games. It is Chelsea’s decision, and I haven’t talked about it yet. I will respect the decision of Javier Mascherano, who is the coach, and after that we will talk about it.”
Fernandez’s desire to play at the Olympics leaves Pochettino in an unenviable position, as the Chelsea boss is faced with welcoming a tired player back to Stamford Bridge for pre-season, or an unhappy one who has been denied his international wishes.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou is in exactly the same predicament as fellow Argentine Cristian Romero has made it clear he would love to make it into Mascherano’s Paris squad.
“Certainly from our behalf as a club, we’ll always be looking at making sure there is a balance there,” Postecoglou, who was seemingly caught off guard, said in a press conference back in March.
“[Romero] hasn’t spoken to me about it, no one has spoken to me about it but I guess [my] pretty strong advice would be with the Copa America at the same time and hopefully us gearing up for a big season next year, I’d be suggesting rest is a better policy.”
Fernandez has not played for almost a month and will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing a hernia operation. The World Cup winner was once the Premier League’s record signing at £107million.
And while Chelsea are struggling as a collective, Fernandez is yet to live up to his billing in west London. A modest return of three goals and two assists have been accompanied by steady performances in the middle of the park this campaign.
His absence from the team has coincided with an upturn in form, as Pochettino’s side head into their final two games of the season on a run of three consecutive wins, which has put them within touching distance of sixth place.
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