Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández has undergone groin surgery and will miss the remainder of the season. The £106.8m signing from Benfica has an inguinal hernia, sidelining him for the final six Premier League games, starting with Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.
The operation is a blow to manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is fighting to keep his job amid mounting pressure. Chelsea sit ninth after Tuesday's 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal, following an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City. Pochettino's future may depend on securing European qualification, with the team six points off sixth place.
Fernández's absence adds to an extensive injury list, with midfielders Lesley Ugochukwu and Roméo Lavia also long-term absentees. Only Conor Gallagher and Moisés Caicedo remain fit in midfield. The Argentinian has struggled for form since joining in January 2023, but the surgery aims to have him fit for this summer's Copa América.
Club sources indicate Pochettino is at risk of dismissal this summer, though the hierarchy plans to assess his position at season's end. Criticism of his tactical choices has emerged, but the former Tottenham manager has had limited input on squad construction under the Boehly-Clearlake ownership, which has spent over £1bn on transfers.
