Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez to Miss Rest of Season After Groin Surgery

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez, aged 23, is set to sit out the remainder of the season following surgery for a groin injury he underwent on Thursday.

Fernandez has been grappling with a hernia for several weeks, with his struggles evident during Chelsea’s recent 5-0 defeat to Arsenal. The Argentine star’s absence will extend to Chelsea’s final six league matches, raising doubts about his availability for the Copa America scheduled for June.

A pivotal figure for Chelsea and a World Cup winner in 2022, Fernandez’s injury compounds the woes for the Premier League club, which has endured a turbulent season marred by multiple injury setbacks. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has often found himself with as many as 12 players sidelined, contributing to the team’s disappointing ninth-place position in the league standings.

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The defeat against Arsenal came on the heels of a 1-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, intensifying the pressure on Pochettino as the season draws to a close.

Fernandez, acquired from Benfica for a hefty sum of £107 million in January 2023, has been a consistent presence in the Chelsea lineup, featuring in 28 league matches and notching three goals this season.

In a statement released by the club, it was confirmed that Fernandez had undergone a successful surgery for his groin issue and will now embark on a rehabilitation program under the guidance of Chelsea’s medical team at Cobham training ground.

The setback underscores the challenges Chelsea has faced on the injury front throughout the season, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the team’s prospects for the remaining fixtures and beyond.