Enzo Maresca reveals Chelsea squad reaction to Enzo Fernandez return

Enzo Maresca has confirmed midfielder Enzo Fernandez apologised to his Chelsea teammates over his offensive chant upon his arrival at pre-season training.

Fernandez found himself at the centre of significant controversy following Argentina’s Copa America triumph after posting a video on social media of himself and a number of teammates singing a chant with the French Football Federation described as “racist and discriminatory”.

Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana publicly voiced his disappointment towards Fernandez’s actions, while a number of French teammates unfollowed the midfielder on social media.

Fernandez apologised publicly in the immediate aftermath but also spoke privately to those hurt by his actions upon his return to training, and Maresca confirmed he believes the divide in the dressing room has been repaired.

“To be honest, we all feel very comfortable, very good because Enzo is back,” Maresca said. “He had a chat with all of us just to clarify there were no bad intentions and the lads all accepted.

“Since yesterday’s session, last night, everything was like before in terms of they were all together, all speaking, all laughing. Normal situation.

“To be honest, I don’t know [if the club’s investigation is finished]. I don’t know. The only thing I can say is the club did a statement, the player did a statement days ago. The player has arrived here, had a chat with his teammates, had a chat with us and now the situation looks completely normal, like before.”

Reports claim club captain Reece James played a huge role in the positive talks alongside French centre-back Axel Disasi.

“Sometimes, most of the times, we used to say it’s an internal thing. But because there is no mystery. The meeting was between me, Enzo, a few players to clarify the situation,” Maresca continued. “There is nothing more to add. There is not any mystery behind.

“We all make mistakes. We have to be good to apologise because sometimes we struggle even to apologise. Enzo apologised already four or five times. They have all accepted it.

“As I said, since last night the situation is completely normal. Everyone is speaking with each other, everyone is laughing. This is exactly what I expected because I knew there was never any bad intentions and they are all good people. But all of us, sometimes we do mistakes.”

Asked whether Fernandez spoke directly to Fofana, Maresca concluded: “The meeting was between Enzo, some of his mates, Wes was there. They spoke with each other. It is normal sometimes that the first reaction is not always good when they argue, the first interaction is not good.

“But thinking about it a little bit, day after day, you can understand that there was not any bad intention because they know Enzo is better than me. They know Enzo is a good guy.”