Chelsea’s 2-1 comeback victory over West Ham at Stamford Bridge was a much-needed boost for the Blues, but it was Enzo Fernandez who stole the headlines for an unusual post-match moment.
The Argentine midfielder, who arrived at Chelsea in 2023 for a record £107m fee, surprised everyone by tossing his shorts into the crowd after the final whistle. One lucky fan, clearly taken aback by the unexpected gift, took things a step further—sniffing the shorts before posing for a selfie, a moment that quickly went viral.
The dramatic encounter saw West Ham take the lead through Jarrod Bowen before Pedro Neto leveled for Chelsea. The winner came via an Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal, securing three vital points for the Blues and pushing them back into the Premier League’s top four. While Cole Palmer was swarmed by fans eager to get their hands on his shirt, Fernandez took a different approach, stripping down to his underwear and throwing his shorts into the stands. The stunned supporter’s reaction—bringing the shorts to his nose—left both fans and pundits in stitches.
Sky Sports’ David Jones couldn’t help but joke about the bizarre scene, telling the broadcast panel, “Get them straight in the washing machine on a hot wash.” Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher and Gianfranco Zola were left in disbelief as they watched the footage unfold. Asked if he had ever gifted his shorts to fans, Zola’s response was swift and emphatic: “No.”
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Fernandez has had an up-and-down tenure at Chelsea since his big-money move, struggling at times to justify his hefty price tag. However, he had shown glimpses of his world-class ability during Chelsea’s improved run of form before mid-December. His recent performances have drawn mixed reactions, with his display against Manchester City coming under fire from Gary Neville. The pundit questioned Fernandez’s ability to read the game and seize key moments, particularly in high-pressure situations.
Neville’s analysis pointed out that Chelsea’s midfield, including Fernandez, missed an opportunity to capitalize on Manchester City’s defensive weaknesses. Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he remarked, “You have to be able to adapt. Players like Caicedo, Fernandez, and Palmer should have recognized the moment to go for the jugular.” The critique highlighted the ongoing tactical challenges Chelsea faces despite their recent resurgence.
Up next, Fernandez and his teammates will turn their attention to the FA Cup, where they face Brighton away in the fourth round on Saturday. Just a week later, they’ll take on the Seagulls again in a Premier League showdown. While Chelsea fans will be hoping for more match-winning performances, they’ll also be keeping an eye out for any more unexpected gifts from their star midfielder.
