‘THE DISRESPECT’: Enzo Fernandez Sparks Fury Among Chelsea Fans as £125M British Record Man City Signing Refuses to Name Blues After Following Boss Enzo Maresca to Etihad

Enzo Fernandez has ignited furious backlash from Chelsea supporters after conspicuously avoiding mentioning his former side by name immediately after sealing a sensational British transfer record £125million switch to Manchester City. The Argentine midfielder completed the blockbuster deadline day transfer from Stamford Bridge to the Etihad Stadium, putting an end to a protracted exit saga that had been brewing since the spring. Despite penning an emotional 380-word farewell letter acknowledging he had not “been in a good place” during his final months in west London, the playmaker’s introductory media appearance has soured any remaining goodwill among the Stamford Bridge faithful.

The controversy arose during Fernandez’s official unveiling with Manchester City, where he openly praised his working dynamic with Italian manager Enzo Maresca, who had made the exact same managerial switch from Chelsea to the reigning Premier League giants. Rather than acknowledging Chelsea during his reflections on their past silverware and development, the 24-year-old repeatedly downgraded his former employers to “my previous club,” mirroring an earlier rhetorical snub delivered by Maresca himself and triggering immediate accusations of petulance and disrespect from Blues followers online.

‘My Previous Club’: The Unveiling Comments That Sparked Backlash

Speaking enthusiastically about reuniting with Maresca in Manchester, Fernandez credited the manager as the driving force behind his arrival at the Etihad, detailing their shared Latin temperament and mutual desire to push the British-record transfer over the line during the frantic closing hours of the window.

“He (Maresca) is a top manager, honestly. I had him at my previous club,” Fernandez declared during his unveiling interview. “They were incredible moments. I learned so much with him. He’s very similar to Latin people, very passionate. So, for me, it’s a pleasure to work with him. I’m also grateful because he was very important in bringing me here. So it’s a huge pleasure for me to work alongside him and enjoy it. To be honest, we were both very eager for it to happen, because it wasn’t easy for me to be here today. But I know he also made a big effort, speaking to the club, and I’m grateful that he did that. It was a long few days, but in the end I’m here and I’m very happy to be joining this club.”

The phrasing did not go unnoticed by Chelsea fans, who immediately drew parallels with Maresca’s own recent public remarks. When previously recounting the crowning achievements of his coaching career, Maresca had explicitly named Leicester City in reference to their Championship title triumph, yet referred to the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup honours he secured in west London as having been accomplished with simply a “different club.”

Blues Supporters Erupt Online: ‘A Hostile Atmosphere is a Must’

The perceived refusal to utter Chelsea’s name prompted an explosive reaction across social media platforms, where fans expressed intense resentment over what they considered an unprovoked slight from a player the club had invested heavily in since his arrival from Benfica. Supporters were quick to warn that any lingering respect has evaporated ahead of their future meetings on the pitch:

• Accusations of Disrespect: “The disrespect of these lot,” one outraged fan wrote online, pointing to the coordinated evasion of the club’s name by both manager and player.

• Vow of On-Pitch Revenge: “You will get thrashed by your previous club my boy,” another Chelsea fan warned directly.

• Demands for a Bridge Reception: “Cant f*ing wait for their return at the Bridge, a HOSTILE atmosphere is a MUST and we must win against them,” a third supporter fumed.

• Branded a Traitor: “A snake of the highest order,” another disgruntled supporter posted as the transfer was confirmed.

The frosty dynamic between Fernandez and the Stamford Bridge fanbase follows reports that the World Cup winner had actively pushed for a departure from the club since March, culminating in an emotionally charged resolution after intense negotiations across the final days of the transfer market.

Date in the Diary: All Eyes on Dramatic Stamford Bridge Reunion

Supporters on both sides have already begun circling key dates on the Premier League calendar to see how the volatile reunion plays out on the pitch. The high-stakes tactical chess match will see Maresca and Fernandez square off against their former squad for the first time on the weekend of December 12, when Manchester City host Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.

However, the real test of sentiment will arrive during the business end of the season. The reverse fixture will take place on the weekend of April 24 at Stamford Bridge, where Fernandez and Maresca are guaranteed an electric, hostile reception from thousands of Chelsea fans waiting to remind them of the exact name of their “previous club.”