Enzo Fernandez reveals he's been in pain for 'six months' as Chelsea star shares positive update after groin surgery

The 23-year-old Argentinian international has revealed that he has been suffering with pain for as long as six months.

Fernandez was having regular injections and taking medication to mask the pain - however the issue worsened over recent weeks and he has since made the decision to undergo surgery to solve it.

Speaking on his personal Instagram account, Fernandez wrote: "I wanted to let you know that my operation was successful, everything went well, thank God.

"I needed to have this surgery, since I had been experiencing pain for approximately 6 months. It was something I could avoid while constantly treating myself with injections and medications.

"But a few weeks ago the pain began to become more and more intense, without any of this having an effect, and it was worse since I trained and played with discomfort, but I did not want to stop being in the games I had.

"Every time I had to play with the Chelsea shirt, like that of the National Team, I always tried to give my best despite all this but I couldn't take it anymore.

"Thank you for the messages, the encouragement and your usual expressions of affection. Greetings to everyone, I promise you that I will come back stronger than ever. Take care. EJF. Thank the doctors who took care of me during surgery."

Fernandez was reportedly being pushed by the Argentinian FA to consider surgery, as he aims to regain full fitness ahead of the Copa America this summer.

Lionel Scaloni's side will be looking to defend their title on US soil, after winning the last tournament back in 2021. He will now miss the rest of the 2023/24 domestic campaign and will have maximum time to recover ahead of international duty in the coming months.

For now, the midfielder will be limited to the sidelines to watch his Chelsea team in action across the remaining six games in the Premier League season.

Mauricio Pochettino's side crashed out of the FA Cup to Manchester City last weekend and have relatively nothing to play for this campaign, with the side currently dwelling in ninth place within the top flight of English football.

The Blues face Aston Villa at Villa Park in their next fixture on Saturday evening.