Enzo Fernandez will miss the rest of Chelsea’s season after undergoing back surgery on Thursday.
The Argentina midfielder has been nursing a hernia for several weeks and was largely ineffective during his side’s 5-0 defeat by Premier League leaders Arsenal on Tuesday.
Mauricio Pochettino has been plagued by an ongoing injury crisis this season with an absentee list that has rarely dipped below seven first-team names.
At times he had no more than 12 players available, despite spending more than £1billion since co-owner Todd Bohley took charge nearly two years ago – including a then British record of £106m. Also included was to sign Fernandez from Benfica. January 2023 – Chelsea have rarely looked so convincing.
Arsenal were beaten 1-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday by Manchester City and the pressure is mounting on Pochettino, who was appointed in July, to turn things around. According to some reports, his future may depend on the club qualifying for Europe. this season.
That would require at least a top-seven league finish, although sixth could be necessary depending on other factors.
Fernandez has made 28 league appearances this term, scoring three goals, and his absence in the last six games has seen Pochettino replace Chelsea’s £115m signing Moises Caicedo at the base of the midfield. has left in search of
Credit : www.independent.co.uk