Injured Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez named in provisional Argentina squad for Copa America

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been included in the provisional Argentina squad for this summer’s Copa America.

The 23-year-old missed the final six games of the season as the Blues secured a top-six finish and potential qualification for the Europa League in a strong end to the campaign.

Fernandez last month underwent surgery on a hernia issue, one he confirmed had caused him pain for the last six months.

There was always hope the former Benfica star would be fit in time for the tournament, which begins in the United States on Thursday June 20, 2024.

Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso is also included, with the midfielder not traveling with Spurs for their post-season friendly against Newcastle in Melbourne later this week.

World champions Argentina are defending the Copa America crown they won in 2021 and will play Ecuador and Guatemala in June before their tournament campaign starts against Canada on Friday June 21.

Three players will be cut from Lionel Scaloni’s squad before the tournament starts.

Provisional Argentina squad for Copa America 2024

Goalkeepers: Franco Armani, Geronimo Rulli, Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Gonzalo Montiel, Nahuel Molina, Leonardo Balerdi, Cristian Romero, German Pezzella, Lucas Martinez, Nicolas Otamendi, Lisandro Martinez, Marcos Acuna, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco

Midfielders: Guido Rodriguez, Leandro Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul, Exequiel Palacios, Enzo Fernandez, Giovani Lo Celso

Forwards: Angel Di Maria, Valentin Carboni, Lionel Messi, Angel Correa, Alejandro Garnacho, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez