ENZO Maresca doesn’t think there will be any problems when Enzo Fernandez joins Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States on Monday – as Blues captain Reece James revealed he had spoken to his Argentine team-mate.
Chelsea launched internal proceedings after a video posted online by Fernandez showing Argentina players singing a song about French players that the France Football Federation said was “racist”.
Fernandez apologised in a post online after his Blues team-mate Wesley Fofana, who has one cap for France, said the video showed “uninhibited racism”.
Maresca was asked about the situation before Chelsea’s friendly against Wrexham.
“It is quite easy in terms of the player doing a statement to apologise. The club did the same, so I don’t think there is something to add in terms of the situation. It is already clear and clarified,” Maresca said.
Chelsea have seven France players who are black or mixed race in their squad. Maresca doesn’t fear conflict within the group when Fernandez returns.
“They are all human beings. I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any of them,” Maresca said.
“I don’t think when Enzo is back that we will have any situations. Enzo clarified the situation, the club the same, so there is nothing to add. They are not bad persons or human beings.
“It can happen but I don’t think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo and all of them.”
James added: “It’s a difficult situation and Enzo has acknowledged he was wrong and quickly put his hand up to apologise to the club, team and people offended.
“Enzo hasn’t arrived yet. I will have to make that judgement [on whether to get involved] when he does. I hope everyone can move forward with the situation.
“I’ve spoken to Enzo and everyone involved but the conversations have to stay in house.”
Meanwhile, Maresca has no doubts about how he wants his side to play after their 2-2 draw with their League One opponents in California.
Chelsea went in front through Christopher Nkunku but Wrexham hit back with goals from Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott after defensive errors from the Blues.
Midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu scored an 82nd-minute equaliser.
“It is one of the risks that you have trying to build from behind,” Maresca said.
“I have no doubt [about the playing style]. I think you are going to concede in different ways, so you need to decide in which way you need to concede a goal.
“Sometimes teams that try to build from the back concede goals but I think you are going to score more than you concede.
“For sure, we did many things we can improve, but we started just two weeks ago. Tonight was important to start seeing the identity of the team and the identity is there.”
