Enzo Fernandez is due to fly in to join the Chelsea squad this Monday with Enzo Maresca using his first press conference to play down talk of the club being in the midst of a racism crisis.

Fernandez remains the subject of disciplinary proceedings after uploading a video to his Instagram showing himself and other Argentina players singing a song described as ‘racist and discriminatory’ by the French football federation. 

Chelsea have six black Frenchmen on their tour of the United States in Wesley Fofana, Malo Gusto, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu, Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile, and the furore has only escalated as:

- Former Chelsea and France star William Gallas described the chant as an attack on all black players and that Fernandez will struggle to rejoin the dressing room

- Argentinian athletes were booed at the Olympics in Paris as the anger spilled into the Games

Enzo Fernandez is set to join Chelsea's squad for their pre-season tour of the US next Monday 

- FIFA continue to look into the footage which, if transferred to the Football Association, could lead to Fernandez being issued a ban as the next season approaches

Maresca’s unveiling in Santa Clara was brief – lasting only 11 minutes – but enough to address the £106.8million elephant in the room as the 44-year-old Italian claimed Fernandez will not encounter problems after apologising both privately to his team-mates and publicly.

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‘It is quite easy in terms of the player did a statement, apologised and the club did the same,’ Maresca said ahead of facing Wrexham in his first friendly. ‘At the end, they are all human beings, I don't think there are any bad intentions from any one of them.

‘When Enzo is back, I don't think we will have any problems, the player already clarified the situation and the club did the same. There is nothing to add, he is not a bad person or human being. It can happen.’

Captain Reece James also revealed he had spoken to Fernandez and said he would act as peacemaker if necessary, continuing: ‘It’s a difficult situation and Enzo has acknowledged he was wrong and quickly put his hand up to apologise to the club, team and people offended. Enzo hasn’t arrived yet. I will have to make that judgment (on whether to get involved) when he does. I hope everyone can move forward with the situation.’

Gallas commented on the situation via Gambling Zone as he said: ‘I played for the French national team, and even though I retired a while ago, I felt it very personally. It was like they were singing about me and all the other black players that represent their countries.

‘I can't imagine the reaction of the Chelsea players when they saw that video. I was very angry about it. The Argentina players were singing about the French players, but for me it's not only the French players. It’s offensive to all black players who represent their countries and who play football. 

'Racism is never acceptable in football. We won’t know how this incident will have affected the atmosphere in the Chelsea dressing room until Enzo Fernandez joins up with the rest of the squad. One thing that is certain is that when Enzo Fernandez walks back into the dressing room at Chelsea, things will be different for him.’

The anger in France was also on show as the Olympics began this week, with French fans booing the Argentinian players and national anthem ahead of their game with Morocco.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are closing in on signing a 22-year-old goalkeeper in Filip Jorgensen from Villarreal. Jorgensen is seen as an ideal addition with Maresca’s training sessions all geared towards his team playing out from the back.