ENZO FERNANDEZ has revealed that new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has blocked him from going to the Olympics.
The Argentina midfielder, 23, claims former manager and compatriot Mauricio Pochettino had agreed for him to play at the Paris games.
But after he was replaced with Maresca, Chelsea have informed their midfielder, who is already playing at the Copa America this summer, that he cannot take part.
Fernandez said: “I did everything possible.
“Mauricio was at Chelsea before, he had given me the OK.
“Then, there was a change of coach and the club changed its position.
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“I tried, I kept talking, I did everything possible to be there, but it wasn’t possible.”
Argentina’s side will be managed by former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano, though Lionel Messi has ruled himself out of taking part.
Fernandez added: “I apologise to Masche. I wanted to be there. It didn’t happen.”
As the Olympics are not a FIFA or UEFA event, clubs are not obliged to release their players.
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Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo Maresca
ENZO MARESCA is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.
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In the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Brazil went all the way with Spain taking silver and Mexico the bronze.
The likes of Antony, Richarlison, Dani Alves and Bruno Guimaraes all won gold medals.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
