Chelsea legend DEFENDS fans booing Enzo Fernandez as £120m star set for Fulham clash amid Man City transfer interest

EMMANUEL PETIT insists he is “not surprised” Enzo Fernandez has felt the wrath of Chelsea fans since his return to Stamford Bridge. Many Blues supporters booed the Argentine when he came off the bench in a pre-season friendly against Real Sociedad on August 15 – and he could get the same treatment from away fans at Fulham tonight. Enzo Fernandez has flirted with a move away from Chelsea in recent months Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Emmanuel Petit is not surprised that Chelsea fans are angry at Fernandez Credit: Getty He did not win many new English admirers over the summer, as part of a rowdy Argentina team that rubbed people up the wrong way en route to the final. But it is the public remarks about leaving Chelsea that have irked the blue brigade. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Last season he openly admitted he did not know whether he would stay at the Bridge. He also expressed a desire to one day live in Madrid amid links to Real. So when his agent, Javier Pastore, revealed he was “looking at possibilities” for Fernandez to leave Chelsea during the World Cup, many supporters decided they’d had enough. Former Blues midfielder Petit told SunSport: “I really like the player, I don’t know the person. “He was not really involved with what happened during the World Cup but the Argentinians’ antics annoyed me the most. “The communication from him is not good. He has been showing frustration for so many months at Chelsea. You could see that on the pitch, but also off it. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK “He was booed by the fans. Well, I’m not surprised. “It was clear from him that his desire was to play for another club. It’s obvious that he does not want to stay at Chelsea.” Real Madrid publicly distanced themselves from a move for Fernandez in July. But Manchester City – now managed by the Argentine’s former boss at Chelsea, Enzo Maresca – have made him their top midfield target. Chelsea set a deadline for City to meet their £120million asking price, which has already been and gone. But if Etihad chiefs are able to revive talks and get a deal done, Petit believes Fernandez would be a smart signing for Maresca. He continued: “They need temper, personality, guys who can show great character on the pitch. “City have got some players but they are missing players. The last few seasons they have lost so many big stars, the spine of the team. “It’s a new era. [Pep] Guardiola is not there anymore. Fernandez would be a good option to bring spirit and character into the dressing room.” As one of the first names on the team sheet for the past three and a half seasons, losing Fernandez would be a blow for Chelsea. Argentina rubbed many fans up the wrong way at the World Cup Credit: Reuters Enzo Maresca has made Fernandez his top midfield target at City Credit: Alamy But Petit believes they have spent the summer building a dressing room which is better equipped to cope with such challenges. Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson are two of the more experienced signings thrown into a talented young squad. And that could be a game-changer for new boss Xabi Alonso. Petit said: “Every team needs experienced players. Especially at Chelsea. “Did you see their discipline record last season? How many times they lost their temper on the pitch for no reason? How many times they had control of a game and then slipped because they lost their mind and they cannot control their emotions? “It’s good to see Henderson and Welbeck because they are hugely experienced. “I am sure they will fix something very important at Chelsea – discipline on and off the pitch. “They are the link between the manager and the dressing room. “Alonso has such a lot of things to improve. One of them is the discipline record, and staying focused, keeping your nerve. “When you look at the team, they have quality players. “When you look at the contenders against Arsenal to win the Premier League, I would put Chelsea in there because they don’t play in Europe.” *Petit was speaking to SunSport in association with Grosvenor Sport Comment now