- Fernandez was awarded armband in place of suspended skipper Reece James
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca defended his decision to make Enzo Fernandez captain for the loss versus Manchester City despite the racism storm that overshadowed the summer.
In the absence of club captain Reece James, the Blues head coach Maresca handed Fernandez the armband for his team’s season opener against the Premier League champions.
Fernandez was part of a group of players who were filmed singing a racist song towards black Frenchman after Argentina’s Copa America final victory over Colombia earlier this summer.
FIFA are currently investigating the video but Maresca said: ‘I think Enzo is one of the captains of this team, not only one we have Reece and some more captains.
‘The reason why I can see his team-mates recognise him like a reference, like a captain.
‘He was already captain in pre-season when we change Reece in a game. All of us have made mistakes in the past. When we make a mistake it is important to recognise and it is finished.
‘I don’t know about you but I made mistakes in the past and I recognised and I think if, as a human being, you make a mistake and recognise you are not going to be punished for life.
‘Enzo did a mistake, he recognised and there is nothing to add.’
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola says prolific striker Erling Haaland is hitting Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo numbers as the Norwegian got his season off to a goalscoring start.
Haaland’s opener took the forward’s tally to 91 goals in 100 games for City since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2022.
‘The numbers are for Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – to score 91 goals in 100 gams in England…,’ said Guardiola.
‘I had a feeling he feels better than last season at this stage, after the rest. [Last summer] he felt tired, this season – Norway not in the Euros, he had a rest, he feels good, the goal was magnificent.’
On his team’s win Guardiola added: ‘Impressed, I didn’t expect the level and this commitment.
‘What a privilege and honour to be 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 will have the team to stay all season.’