When Mauricio Pochettino hopes Enzo Fernandez will return to Chelsea side after Wolves blow

Enzo Fernandez will miss Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Wolves on Christmas Eve, Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed.

The 22-year-old requested to be substituted in the first half of Chelsea’s penalty shootout win over Newcastle United on Tuesday night as they progressed into the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

Fernandez headed straight down the tunnel and emerged post-match with his teammates, however was spotted being comforted by Pochettino and club captain Reece James, who is expected to be out for up to four months after undergoing hamstring surgery this week.

“He asked to go out because he was a little bit sick before the game,” Pochettino revealed post-match.

“He suffered some problems with his stomach. He wanted to play, he said, ‘okay, see if it’s going well’. Rather than well it went not so well and that is why”

Fernandez’s availability for Chelsea’s clash against Wolves on Christmas Eve remained unclear after the distressing look on the Argentine’s face on Tuesday night.

It is indeed bad news for the Blues as they travel to Molineux. Pochettino confirmed the midfielder would miss Sunday’s match, however hopes Fernandez can return to the side as soon as possible.

“Enzo is going to be out for the game against Wolverhampton,” said Pochettino.

“We will see if he can be involved again as soon as possible. We already have information that it was a hernia and he also didn’t feel well (during the game).

“He will have treatment with the doctor and of course, he is not going to be a problem. He will be as soon as possible with the group.”