Moises Caicedo has urged Enzo Fernandez to stay at Chelsea and backed the midfielder to handle abuse from opposition fans for his role in England’s defeat by Argentina at the World Cup.Fernandez’s future is still uncertain at the club with Chelsea leaving him off the ‘not for sale’ list this summer and valuing him at £120million ($161m).The Argentina midfielder, 25, was suspended by the club for two games in April for comments made while away on international duty where he criticised decisions by the hierarchy and appeared to flirt with a move to Real Madrid.Fernandez’s agent Javier Pastore has spoken about the lack of progress in contract talks earlier in the year too and there is no sign of a new agreement, with the Argentine’s existing terms running until 2032.Caicedo, who signed a new deal in April to extend his stay until 2033, has urged his team-mate to commit his future too. He said: “I love Enzo. He knows I have a lot of respect for him. We know the player he is and he is also a great person. I want him to stay. If he stays here he is going to be massive for us. For sure, he is going to think and do what is best for him.”Caicedo’s comments in Hong Kong on Tuesday echo those of new manager Xabi Alonso, who stated his preference to keep Fernandez last month.New Chelsea boss Alonso said last month he wants to keep Fernandez at the club (Reuters/David Klein)Fernandez helped Argentina beat England in the World Cup semi-final last month. He scored a late equaliser, with his celebration upsetting England supporters. Lautaro Martinez then headed in the winner.There is a strong possibility Fernandez will not get a bad reception during Premier League matches from now on.When asked if he thinks Fernandez can handle being the villain, Caicedo said: “100 per cent. He is a strong player and has his own mentality. He is a World champion. For sure he is going manage the pressure and will continue how he finished.”Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk is in line to get his first minutes for Chelsea in 21 months after Alonso named the Ukraine international in his squad to face Juventus in a pre-season friendly.Mudryk arrived in Hong Kong at the start of the week after his doping case was resolved with the Football Association and World Anti-Doping Agency.The 24-year-old winger has only just resumed training with the squad having been working alone on his match fitness while banned.Alonso said on Tuesday: “We trained yesterday. He came directly from the airport to the hotel. So, yesterday was more about the feelings, more about the emotions, to be back with the players to assess the fitness level. He’s selected, so he can play. Maybe 90 minutes too early, but he can be selected.”
Moises Caicedo urges Enzo Fernandez to stay at Chelsea
Meanwhile, Mykhailo Mudryk is in line to get his first minutes for Chelsea in 21 months against Juventus on Wednesday.






