Why Enzo Fernandez was fuming as Pochettino dealt first major problem

Chelsea news: The latest Blues headlines, stories and gossip with updates on Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Mauricio Pochettino.

Your Chelsea morning digest on Tuesday, May 23.

Fernandez fumes

Enzo Fernandez showed his frustration during Chelsea's 1-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday. The midfielder was partnered by Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Conor Gallagher in the absence of several key stars that are all out injured.

"Enzo's attitude was great, across the back, I know we made a mistake for the goal but once we got to grips with the problems between the lines, and we went in and stayed in," Frank Lampard said afterwards, praising his star man.

The Blues are in the mix to find a partner for him capable of anchoring the side from deep. As the burden is down to him to break-up play and also dictate, he let his anger show.

Before the hour mark Fernandez picked up the ball but had nobody around him to pass to and let it all out, yelling for more support and gesturing wildy with his arms out wide.

Midfield 'secret weapon'

Chelsea have several options that are being looked at for defensive midfield choices this summer with Declan Rice also high on the priority list for Arsenal. The Englishman has admirers at Stamford Bridge but is no longer seen as the most likely man to join.

Alongside Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Manuel Ugarte is Borussia Monchengladbach starlet Manu Kone. The Bundesliga gem has been mightily impressive in his role this season and could be available for as little as £26m.

Elsewhere, according to reports, Chelsea could benefit from the appointment of former Manchester City and Southampton recruitment guru Joe Shields. He has been credited with aiding the rise of Lavia throughout his junior career.

Benoit Badiashile injured

January signing Benoit Badiashile is set to spend at least three months out with injury, football.london understands. The Frenchman missed the loss to Manchester City after picking up a knock in training.

The setback is now expected to keep him out for most, if not all, of pre-season as he faces a race against time to be fit for the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Alongside Mason Mount, Armando Broja, N'Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella, even the 32-man squad available to Frank Lampard is starting to look light on options, especially at the back. Chelsea still have two of the top four to face before the season can be fully forgotten but will have to do it without one of their most impressive stars.

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