Inside Chelsea’s pre-season camp after Enzo Fernandez racism storm

CHELSEA hope they have drawn a line under the Enzo Fernandez race row after he rejoined the group.

The players are putting on a united front — publicly at least — and seem prepared to accept it was an incredibly foolish mistake by a young star.

But the initial reaction, as well as the fallout in Argentina and France, suggests it is something that cannot be solved with a quick chat and donation to a good cause.

While most within the squad have accepted that things will be back to normal, sources claim there was still an awkward air as the group trained again for the first time.

For new boss Enzo Maresca, that will have been expected and it could have been a far worse reunion.

The Italian has made a concerted effort to keep spirits high.

After arriving in Atlanta on Saturday night following their 4-1 friendly defeat by Celtic in Ohio, the squad were treated to a sushi night in Buckhead — the area of the city where their plush hotel is based.

Wandering around St Regis — where rooms start at $659, or £515, per night — there remains a happy families vibe, nothing to see here.

The manager and players are moving on and the club have wound up an internal probe, with Fernandez’s donation to an anti-discrimination charity effectively seen as a fine.

Yet Fifa chiefs are still investigating the video of the racist chant — which could eventually lead to an FA ban — as well as considering a legal complaint from the French Football Association.

This is not something that will be so easily swept under the carpet.

Maresca was tossed a grenade a few weeks into the job by their £106million midfield man’s behaviour.

Fernandez posted a video of him and his Argentina team-mates singing a vile song about the French team following Copa America glory.

While Maresca started on the front foot, getting players around the table with Fernandez, 23, to clear the air, the ex-Leicester boss will have to keep on top of things in the coming days and weeks.

Defender Levi Colwill said: “We’re a team. We moved forward together and that is what we are going to do.

“Everything that has happened stays between us. I am really excited to get to work and that we have a really good season.

“We all know Enzo is a good person and works well for the team.”

The hope will be that, once the Premier League season is underway, the focus moves on and other things become more important.

But a poor start on the pitch can easily open up any old wounds and rifts in a dressing room.

Players felt Fernandez was being heartfelt when he apologised in person — following on from his public statement and personal messages over WhatsApp before flying in to join the pre-season tour.

But it is hard to imagine the likes of Blues defender Wesley Fofana, who called out the “uninhibited racism” from his team-mate, will be able to move on quite so quickly.

Maresca has passed his initial test by coping with the first of what will no doubt be a few crises.

But, for many, there will still be a sense of wait and see around just how warmly Fernandez is welcomed back — not only by team-mates but by Chelsea fans and rival supporters, too.

You can be sure those in the away end at Stamford Bridge this season will be ready to revive this time and again across the season.

Chelsea and Maresca will hope that is as far as it goes.