Enzo Fernandez faced a wave of discontent from the fans when he was subbed on during Chelsea's thrilling 3-2 victory in the London derby. The crowd was split: some let out jeers, while others rallied behind the Argentine midfielder with chants of support.
After the match, Chelsea's new manager Xabi Alonso was asked about the reaction from the stands towards Fernandez and the backing he received from the fans.
“Yes, it’s football... Football is emotional, and we have to accept these situations. But for me, it doesn't hold much significance,” Alonso said.
“I’m just pleased we’ve had our first Premier League match, my first official game with Chelsea. It was fantastic to be in that stadium with our fans and to celebrate the victory together.”
“Even before the match kicked off, I felt their energy. They were eager to see a good team performance, to witness our players leave everything on the pitch and fight for the result.”
“By the end, I saw happy faces, so it’s essential to create that bond. This is just the beginning, the first day, and it was a good one.”
