Chelsea star replaced by Liverpool player's brother after national team withdrawal

Enzo Fernandez has been replaced by Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister's brother Kevin in the Argentina national team squad.

The Chelsea midfielder confirmed on Saturday evening that he would not be joining up with the World Cup winners for their friendly match against Angola.

Fernandez has been suffering with knee pain for several weeks and now requires some rest after being diagnosed with a bone edema.

Lionel Scaloni is using this particular international break to take a look at some new players ahead of next summer's World Cup finals and Kevin Mac Allister has now received a late call-up alongside Emiliano Buendia.

Mac Allister plays in Belgium for Union Saint Gilloise, who currently sit top of the Jupiler League table.

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Results have not been so good in the Champions League, however, following heavy defeats to Newcastle, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.

But Mac Allister is versatile, he can play at centre-back or full-back and he also has leadership qualities.

For that reason, Scaloni feels he can bring something to his World Cup-winning squad and has handed him the chance to team up with his brother, Alexis of Liverpool.

Kevin started his career at Argentinos Juniors and also had a loan spell with Boca Juniors. He was also previously called up to the Argentina U20 squad for the 2017 South American Youth Championships but he missed the contest through injury.

Speaking after starring in Chelsea's 3-0 demolition of Wolves, Blues maestro Fernandez confirmed he would be pulling out of the Argentina squad.

“I will not be available with Argentina,” Fernandez said. “I was just talking to the medical team because I had a problem with my knee in the last 4 months.

“I came with a bone edema that got worse in the last weeks and months because we played a lot of games.

“I think the most important thing is coming to the end of the season and I think it's good to make this decision together. Always respecting the doctors and everything.”

Pedro Neto was also forced to pull out of the Portugal squad with a groin issue. The winger, who scored Chelsea's third against his former club Wolves, asked Enzo Maresca to be substituted due to discomfort.

Defender Trevoh Chalobah has since been added to the England squad though after Marc Guehi picked up a foot issue in Crystal Palace's 3-1 Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar.