Enzo Fernandez was booed by Chelsea fans as he returned to the matchday squad for the first time this summer.
The 25-year-old was given an extended break after reaching the World Cup final with Argentina, a match in which he was sent off. That red card came after he scored the equaliser in the semi-final against England and celebrated by cupping his ears in front of the supporters.
Return to training and transfer speculation
Fernandez returned to training at Cobham this week, but there has been intense speculation over his future. Manchester City, now managed by former Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, have interest in the midfielder.
Chelsea imposed a deadline of 5pm on Friday for clubs to meet their £120 million valuation for Fernandez. That passed without any offers being made, and Chelsea now expect the player to remain at the club until at least next summer.
Reception at Stamford Bridge
It remains to be seen how strongly that stance is tested, but it was not a warm welcome for Fernandez on his return to Stamford Bridge. He was named on the bench for the club's final pre-season match against Real Sociedad on Saturday afternoon.
As his name was read out over the tannoy ahead of the players coming out for the warm-up, there was a smattering of boos from the fans who had taken their seats early. Fernandez then partnered with Argentina team-mate Valentin Barco as they went through some stretching drills.
Barco was slapped by Bellingham in that World Cup semi-final showdown after the Argentine angered the England players by running onto the pitch and celebrating in front of them as an unused substitute.
