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Fernandez feels the tension amid Chelsea uncertainty

Enzo Fernandez was jeered by Chelsea supporters after coming on as a substitute during a 3-1 friendly win over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Several fans made their feelings known when Fernandez, who has previously made clear his desire to leave Chelsea, came on in the 62nd minute to replace Reece James.

But other supporters gave their backing to the 25-year-old, who told the Blues in May he wanted to leave.

Chelsea placed a reported asking price of £120 million ($162 million) on the Argentina international but no bids have yet been received during the summer transfer window.

READ: Chiefs, Sundowns share spoils in tense FNB stalemate

Fernandez scored Argentina’s equaliser in their World Cup semi-final win over England in July before being sent off in the South Americans’ defeat by Spain in the final.

Record signing Morgan Rogers scored on his first Stamford Bridge appearance, tapping in the rebound after Joao Pedro’s header was saved.

Brazilian Joao Pedro ensured victory for new manager Xabi Alonso in the team’s final match before their Premier League opener away to local rivals Fulham, scoring a double to take his pre-season total to eight goals, after Jon Aramburu had equalised for the La Liga side.

“It was a very good last preparation game,” Alonso told Chelsea’s website.

“For some players it was the first one and the last one. For us, there were some good things, some things we can improve. It’s normal at this moment for some players.

“It was great to have all the team together. Some of them after three days could play for 60 minutes. It was the last test. Now we have a whole week to prepare for Fulham, but it was a good feeling in the stadium.”

–AFP

Photo: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

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