Chelsea make surprising Enzo Fernandez Olympics decision | OneFootball

Chelsea have given Enzo Fernandez permission to take part in the Olympics this summer if he is called up by Argentina, according to reports.

Fernandez is currently recovering from hernia surgery which caused him to miss the final six games of the season, but is expected to be fit for the Copa America, and was named in Argentina’s preliminary squad on Monday.

The 23-year-old admitted after his surgery he had been playing through pain and injections for six months, but he is now recovering well, and is back out on the grass with a ball.

Chelsea take Fernandez Olympics decision

There’s a chance the World Cup winner could be one of three players to drop out of the provisional 29 man squad if he doesn’t prove his fitness, with Argentina facing two World Cup qualifiers before their opening Copa America match on June 21st.

The Copa America might not be the only tournament the midfielder takes part in over the summer, with the Olympic Games also taking place in Paris.

However, as the Olympics isn’t a FIFA recognised tournament it will be down to Chelsea to give Fernandez permission to take part if he is called up by Javier Mascherano.

Fernandez could have a very busy summer with Argentina.

Fernandez is available for Olympic selection as he was under the age of 23 at the beginning of the season, with three further spaces available for over aged players.

Journalist Cesar Luis Merlo has reported Fernandez has spoken to Chelsea and been given permission to go to the Olympics if he’s selected.

If reports are to be believed then it feels a strange decision from Chelsea given how much football Fernandez could end up playing and it would completely disrupt his pre season.

Argentina will no doubt be one of the favourites for the Copa America with the final due to take place the 14th July.

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South American countries take the Olympics seriously and the first group stage game would be just ten days after the final, and if Argentina were to go all the way the gold medal match would be played just one week before the new Premier League season kicks off.

It’s clear this wouldn’t be the ideal preparation for the new season, with Chelsea needing Fernandez to hit the ground running next season.

Coming into the new campaign with no pre season, and not much of a break means he is going to be on the back foot and at risk of possible burnout.