Chelsea Star Opens Up About the Emotional and Physical Toll of Playing Through Pain for Eight Months

Enzo Fernandez recently shared his experience of enduring eight months of persistent pain while playing for Chelsea. He disclosed that he had been relying on injections during this period before eventually opting for surgery.

His last appearance for Chelsea was in their 5-0 loss against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Following this match, Fernandez underwent surgery, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the season. However, he is expected to recover in time for the Copa America and potentially the Olympics, pending approval from Chelsea.

Throughout the season when he was fit, Fernandez showcased his talent in 40 matches across various competitions for Chelsea, contributing seven goals, three of which were in the Premier League. Despite his solid performances, criticism came his way, partly due to his subdued form, which was later attributed to a hernia issue.

After the defeat against Arsenal, Fernandez decided to undergo surgery to address his ongoing pain. His recovery progress has been positive, with reports suggesting he is ahead of schedule. Fernandez himself confirmed that he has resumed training on the field with a ball, indicating a promising recovery.

In an interview with DSports, Fernandez opened up about his decision to undergo surgery, stating, “I was playing with pain and injections for eight months. I had to make the decision to have surgery; it was the best choice for me as I didn’t want to continue harming the team.”

He also expressed admiration for Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, crediting him with bringing order and a distinct identity to the team. Fernandez remarked, “When I joined Chelsea, there was a lot of chaos, with many players. Mauricio Pochettino instilled order and a clear identity in the team; the work ethos is now different.”