Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is now confronting a challenging schedule ahead of Chelsea’s upcoming Premier League match at Nottingham Forest, following unexpected changes to Argentina’s international friendly against Puerto Rico. Originally planned for Monday night in Chicago, the game has been shifted both in date and location, adding pressure on Fernandez’s recovery and travel time.
Here’s where it gets complicated: the friendly, once set for Monday at Soldier Field, has been moved to Tuesday at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, the home ground of Argentina captain Lionel Messi’s club, Inter Miami. No official announcement has been made yet, but a Chicago Park District spokesperson confirmed that the initial match was canceled because of disappointing ticket sales. Meanwhile, an Argentine Football Association official hinted the decision was partly due to unrest in Chicago, where the National Guard was deployed amid protests related to immigration enforcement.
This move significantly compresses the timeline for Fernandez. While the original kickoff was at 7pm local time in Chicago (which would have still been late for the player), the new setting means he could finish playing as late as 1am BST on Wednesday morning. From there, Fernandez will need to endure a transatlantic flight back to the UK and prepare for a demanding 12:30pm BST kickoff at Nottingham Forest just a few days later on Saturday, October 18.
This is the part most people miss: the impact on player fitness and performance when international duties clash closely with crucial league fixtures. Traveling after a late-night match, with barely two days before the next game, raises questions about optimal recovery and the potential risk of injury or fatigue.
Chelsea isn’t just dealing with Fernandez’s situation; several other players are currently managing injuries or recent fitness issues. Cole Palmer, Liam Delap, Andrey Santos, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Dario Essugo have all been nursing various injuries. Additionally, Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong had to be substituted due to late-game injuries in Chelsea’s narrow win against Liverpool prior to the international break. On top of that, Trevoh Chalobah missed that match due to suspension.
The combination of the friendly’s rescheduling and Chelsea’s ongoing injury concerns paints a challenging picture for the club’s squad depth and readiness. Could this reshuffling tip the balance in Chelsea's Premier League campaign? And should clubs push for more control over international schedules to protect their players?
What are your thoughts? Do you believe these tight turnarounds put players at unnecessary risk, or is it simply part of a footballer’s demanding life? Join the conversation and share your views below.
