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Chelsea player ‘booed at every touch’ during pre-season Stamford Bridge match

Published 15:36 15 Aug 2026 BST

Updated 15:48 15 Aug 2026 BST

Jacob Entwistle
Chelsea player ‘booed at every touch’ during pre-season Stamford Bridge match

Homesport

A very polarising figure at the Bridge.

Chelsea geared up their preparations for the upcoming Premier League campaign with a friendly against Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, but it wasn't without drama for a polarising figure at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues, in a new lease of life under Xabi Alonso, started the friendly emphatically as new signing Morgan Rogers got straight off the mark, bagging after just 10 minutes.

Then celebrating with teammate and close off-the-pitch friend Cole Palmer, the afternoon looked to be going smooth for the side.

Right-back Jon Aramburu then equalised for Sociedad, before the clinical Joao Pedro put Alonso's men back ahead just minutes after the second half started.

The game didn't come without drama though. On the 62nd minute, skipper Reece James was substituted for Enzo Fernandez, who took the captain's armband.

Upon entering the pitch, the Argentinian was loudly booed by some supporters, whilst others chanted his name.

Then upon every touch of the ball, Fernandez was again booed, whilst other supporters made clear their support for the player.

The clip can be viewed below:

Fernandez has been the subject of serious interest from Enzo Maresca's Manchester City this summer, though the Blues made abundantly clear that the deadline was on Friday, for City to lodge a bid.

The value of the player was set at £120million, and it's understood that City did not make their bid in time.

Though Chelsea see the saga over, City believe that it's far from done, as per Ben Jacobs.