{"id":17904,"date":"2026-07-16T11:45:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17904"},"modified":"2026-07-16T11:45:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:45:15","slug":"chelsea-fans-cannot-believe-what-enzo-fernandez-was-doing-against-england-i-didnt-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=17904","title":{"rendered":"Chelsea fans cannot believe what Enzo Fernandez was doing against England, &#8216;I didn&#8217;t know&#8230;&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"post-377420\">\n<div class=\"article-follow\">\n<div class=\"article-sharing google-follow\">  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/wp-content\/themes\/grv-media\/img\/google-discover.svg\" alt=\"\"\/> <span>Add as preferred source on Google<\/span>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>Enzo Fernandez is enjoying the plaudits of Argentine media and fans after the Chelsea star sparkled in his country\u2019s comeback win over England in their World Cup semi-final<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Having scored the winner against Egypt in the quarter-finals, another comeback win with Egypt winning 2-0 until the 80th minute, Argentina faced Thomas Tuchel\u2019s England on Wednesday night in Atlanta.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-grvmedia-grv-video GRVMultiVideo\"\/>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"6732afd3-090f-4db8-a4bd-87e0ff19d072\" data-story-name=\"Chelsea\u2019s 2026 World Cup\" data-comment-id=\"6b28bdcb-b74f-4477-8e6d-5bc8957df508\" data-story-slug=\"2026-world-cup\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Did Enzo Fernandez deserve a red card?<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">VAR seemed to miss this incident with Elliot Anderson!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"782\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-1024x782.jpg\" alt=\"England v Argentina: Semi Final - FIFA World Cup 2026\" class=\"wp-image-377411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-1024x782.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-768x586.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-1536x1173.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-1140x870.jpg 1140w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2286261979-750x573.jpg 750w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Elliot Anderson #8 of England is pushed by Enzo Fernandez #24 of Argentina during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse - FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)\">Photo by Ryan Pierse \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Fernandez started, as did Chelsea captain Reece James, while Trevoh Chalobah and Valentin Barco were unused substitutes on the night. All eyes were on Lionel Messi, but it was Fernandez who stole the show.<\/p>\n<p>Fernandez had already netted twice at the World Cup this summer and took his tally to three to cancel out Anthony Gordon\u2019s opener. A superb shot from all of 25 yards that caught Jordan Pickford flat-footed.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chelsea-fans-shocked-by-enzo-fernandez-s-shooting-ability\">Chelsea fans shocked by Enzo Fernandez\u2019s shooting ability<\/h2>\n<p>It was a clear tactic. By the time Fernandez had attempted his effort that resulted in Argentina drawing level, he had attempted to find the back of the net five times from long range. Eventually, it worked.<\/p>\n<p>Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni had clearly allowed Fernandez to try his luck from a distance with the Three Lions playing so deep. A couple whistled narrowly over, before Pickford was forced to tip one over.<\/p>\n<p>From the resulting corner, Fernandez found the back of the net, and Chelsea fans have responded to his goal on social media. Many are surprised that Fernandez\u2019s long-range shooting ability was so effective.<\/p>\n<p>One Chelsea supporter said \u201cit\u2019s finally coming together for him\u201d, after watching his effort fly into the top corner. Another claimed that \u201cXabi Alonso will love this\u201d, having watched Fernandez score from range.<\/p>\n<p>For some, it left supporters frustrated. One fan posted \u201che can\u2019t do that at Chelsea\u201d, while another said \u201cI don\u2019t know why he skies the shots he takes for Chelsea\u201d. Fernandez is certainly dividing Chelsea opinion.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper see-more-closed\" data-type=\"twitter\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"embed_377420_2\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more twitter\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Enzo Fernandez shooting reminds me of prime frank lampard when I was in class 4, he made me fall in love with Chelsea Football Club<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 museum\ud83d\ude80\ud83e\udd85 (@KelvinMuseum) July 15, 2026<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><label for=\"embed_377420_2\" data-type=\"twitter\">View Tweet<\/label><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-if-he-wasn-t-convinced-already-xabi-alonso-will-be-now\">If he wasn\u2019t convinced already, Xabi Alonso will be now<\/h2>\n<p>Alonso already stated in his first press conference as Chelsea manager that he wants to keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge. Whether that turns out to be the case remains to be seen, but Alonso wants him.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea are said to want \u00a3120m for Fernandez and if an offer in that region arrives, he will be allowed to depart. Real Madrid, PSG, Arsenal, Man City and Atletico Madrid have all been linked at points so far.<\/p>\n<section class=\"grv-talking-point\" data-trigger=\"vue-sidebar\" data-story-id=\"5a9c74ee-9dfb-4c17-80a3-f12c2bcadb5e\" data-story-name=\"Talk Chelsea\" data-comment-id=\"79ff1b42-ec7d-4415-b21e-484d10b6b800\" data-story-slug=\"talk-chelsea\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__inner\">\n<header class=\"grv-talking-point__header\">  <\/header>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__content\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__cta\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-wrap\">\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__title-content\">\n<h3 class=\"grv-talking-point__title\">Enzo Fernandez needs to leave Chelsea for the good of the club \ud83d\udc4b\ud83c\udffb<\/h3>\n<p class=\"grv-talking-point__subtitle\">Thoughts?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"grv-talking-point__embed\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 991px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Enzo Fernandez's agent on his future at Chelsea\" class=\"wp-image-375899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-912x1140.png 912w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13-600x750.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn1.thechelseachronicle.com\/uploads\/17\/2026\/07\/FOUR-LINE-quote-graphic-13.png 1080w\"\/><\/div><figcaption title=\"LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea FC greets Marc Cucurella during the UEFA Champions League 2025\/26 League Phase MD5 match between Chelsea FC and FC Barcelona at Stamford Bridge on November 25, 2025, in London, England. (Photo by Dennis Agyeman \/ Europa Press Sports via Getty Images)\">Photo by Dennis Agyeman \/ European Press Sports via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>But if Wednesday night\u2019s outing showed Alonso anything, it is that even if a \u00a3120m offer does arrive, the Chelsea gaffer should do everything he can to keep Fernandez. He is a game-changer, one of the best.<\/p>\n<p>Right now, he is one of the best players at the World Cup, and certainly, it is hard to think of a better midfielder across the pond. Alonso and Chelsea have to keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge this summer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"see-more-wrapper lazy see-more-open see-more-blank extra-content\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.thechelseachronicle.com\/news\/chelsea-fans-cannot-believe-what-enzo-fernandez-was-doing-against-england-i-didnt-know\/none\" data-type=\"subscribe\">\n<div class=\"see-more subscribe\">\n<figure class=\"newsletter\">\n<div><svg class=\"loading\" width=\"118\" height=\"36\" viewbox=\"0 0 118 36\"><use href=\"#dots-svg\"\/><\/svg><\/p>\n<div class=\"signup\"><span class=\"hf\">Join Our Newsletter<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><script>grvLoadAnalytics = () => {(function(d,s,i){var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0),j=d.createElement(s);j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/www.googletagmanager.com\/gtag\/js?id=\"+i;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(document,'script','G-E7VRWQHDP6');(function(d,s,i){if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){var e=d.createElement(s);var n=d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0);e.type=\"text\/javascript\";e.async=true;e.src=\"https:\/\/static.chartbeat.com\/js\/chartbeat.js\";n.parentNode.insertBefore(e,n);}})(document,\"script\",\"G-E7VRWQHDP6\");(function(){let s=document.createElement(\"script\");s.async=true;s.dataset.domain=\"thechelseachronicle.com\/MFj4XQ\";s.src=\"https:\/\/api.publytics.net\/js\/script.manual.ping.min.js\";document.getElementsByTagName(\"head\")(0).appendChild(s);})();if(!\/callback=in\/.test(window.location.search)){setTimeout(function(){!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=();t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)(0);s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,'script','https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');fbq('init','663509325503632');fbq('track','PageView');fbq('track','ViewContent',{content_name:'Chelsea fans cannot believe what Enzo Fernandez was doing against England, &#8216;I didn&#8217;t know&#8230;&#8217;',content_category:'News',content_ids:(377420,\"enzo-fernandez\"),content_type:'post',});},3000);}}<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Add as preferred source on Google Enzo Fernandez is enjoying the plaudits of Argentine media&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17778,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17904","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17904","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17904"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17904\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17904"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17904"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17904"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}