Why key Chelsea star hasn’t travelled with squad to USA amid Lukaku, Ziyech & Aubameyang decision

Enzo Fernandez wasn’t pictured on the flight on Monday afternoon with the rest of the Chelsea squad as they jetted off to the United States for their pre-season tour.

The Chelsea stars were pictured boarding their flight and getting comfortable for the eight-hour flight to America ahead of their five pre-season fixtures against Wrexham, Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle United, Fulham and Borussia Dortmund.

Romelu Lukaku, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Hakim Ziyech were absent. They will return to the club’s Cobham training base on Tuesday, with the club looking to finalise transfers for the trio as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Ethan Ampadu is close to joining Leeds United on a permanent basis.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has taken several youngsters, including Mason Burstow and Eddie Beach, on the pre-season tour, while Andrey Santos was pictured sitting next to fellow Brazilian Thiago Silva on the flight.

However, one key player wasn’t on the flight. Midfielder Enzo Fernandez was not with the rest of his teammates.

As reported by ESPN Argentina, Fernandez will head directly to the USA from Argentina and meet up with the squad after completing his holidays following international duty with Argentina last month.

Meanwhile, Colwill has been enjoying an extended period off after winning the Under-21s European Championship with England earlier this month. He was in attendance on the flight.

Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher, Mykhailo Mudryk and Carney Chukwuemeka were all on the flight, while Noni Madueke, also an Under-21 champion, boarded the flight.