Chelsea coach praises his players despite controversial holiday choice

Calum McFarlane defended Enzo Fernandez after the midfielder and a group of teammates went to Madrid on holiday.

Enzo Fernandez was suspended by Chelsea for two games last month because of his comments on international duty.

The midfielder gave two separate interviews during the break where he spoke very pointedly about wanting to live in Madrid – no coincidence, given the transfer rumours linking him with moves to La Liga.

So where did the Argentina star go this week in the mini-holiday between last Sunday’s FA Cup game and a return to training yesterday? You guessed it…

McFarlane on Enzo holidays

Calum McFarlane took his pre-match press conference today, where he defended Enzo:

“We gave the lads three days off and I actually thought it was [promising that they went]… I think it says a lot about the group that they go away together. I love the fact that they spend time together and they’ve gone to Madrid to watch tennis, so I don’t see an issue with it, honestly.

“He was there last year with his teammates again. The last time they had a break, they spent time together as well, so I think it’s a positive sign for the unity within the group.”

Enzo talking pointedly about living in Madrid we have a problem with. Him going there for fun? That’s fine.

McFarlane knows that getting Stamford Bridge onside is going to be huge for him on Monday, and he spoke about how he can do that.

Reece James has also had a major effect on McFarlane in his time at Chelsea so far, as the interim coach admitted later in the presser.