‘I want to go’ - Enzo Fernandez requests to miss entire pre-season under next Chelsea manager

Enzo Fernandez has revealed his intention to represent Argentina in the upcoming Olympic Games, which could result in him missing the entirety of Chelsea's first pre-season under their new coach.

The midfielder missed Chelsea's last six games following surgery after an ongoing injury hampered his campaign. He revealed playing through discomfort, saying: "I needed to get this surgery since I been dragging the pain for about six months.

"It was something I could avoid while constantly treating myself with injections and medications. But a few weeks ago, the pain started to get more and more intense, without any of this taking effect, and it was worse as I trained and played annoyingly, but I didn't want to stop being in the games I had."

Fernandez was still included in Lionel Scaloni's Argentina squad ahead of the Copa America this summer with Argentina expected to begin their preparations in Miami on June 3. They will face Ecuador and Guatemala in friendlies before Copa America kicks off on June 20.

The World Cup holders will take on Canada the following day. Should Argentina go all the way, the final will be played on July 15 - just over 10 days from when the Olympic Games are set to begin.

The Olympics in Paris will take place between July 26 and August 11. This would mean that Fernandez would miss the start of pre-season in the USA, depending how far Argentina get in the tournament.

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Speaking to ESPN Argentina, the midfielder said: "I'm feeling well from the injury and training normally. I spoke with [Lionel] Scaloni before the injury and I'm very happy for getting another call-up.

"I'm looking forward to being at the Olympic Games. I talked to [Javier] Mascherano and told him that I want to go. Let's see with Chelsea if they let me go.

Clubs are believed to be under no obligation to release players for the tournament, however.

Chelsea will have five games lined up in America, facing Wrexham, Celtic, Club America, Manchester City and Real Madrid between July 24 and August 6 before the season gets underway on the weekend of August 17 and 18.