Enzo Fernandez has been left out of Chelsea’s next two fixtures after head coach Liam Rosenior said the midfielder’s recent remarks overstepped acceptable boundaries. The decision follows comments made after the club’s Champions League exit, when Fernandez admitted uncertainty about whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Enzo Fernandez has been left out of Chelsea’s next two fixtures after head coach Liam Rosenior said the midfielder’s recent remarks overstepped acceptable boundaries. The decision follows comments made after the club’s Champions League exit, when Fernandez admitted uncertainty about whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Rosenior confirmed the Argentina international will miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale as well as the upcoming Premier League match against Manchester City. While expressing respect for the player’s character and ability, the manager explained that maintaining standards within the squad required a firm response.
The coach emphasized that the move was not made in isolation but rather agreed upon across the club’s leadership and playing group. He added that the decision serves as a disciplinary measure rather than a permanent exclusion, stressing that the player remains valued and that communication between both sides has remained constructive.
Despite the sanction, Fernandez will continue in his role as vice captain, with Rosenior making clear that stripping responsibilities is not under consideration. He described their conversation as calm and reiterated that their relationship remains strong, even if the current situation suggests otherwise.
However, the midfielder’s representative, Javier Pastore, strongly disagreed with the punishment, describing it as excessive and unjustified. He argued that sidelining such an important player for two significant matches could harm the team’s push for Champions League qualification.
Pastore also pointed out that Fernandez had not explicitly expressed a desire to leave nor mentioned any specific club, insisting that the player did not fully understand the reasoning behind the decision. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Fernandez accepted the outcome professionally, maintaining his commitment and respect for the club.
In earlier comments, Fernandez stated there had been no discussions with Real Madrid and reiterated his focus on Chelsea, though he mentioned he would reassess his future after the World Cup. He also spoke about a personal preference for living in Spain, noting similarities between Madrid and Buenos Aires.
Rosenior linked the situation to a challenging period for the team, which suffered four consecutive defeats in March, including a heavy aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16. He suggested that such frustrations contributed to the public remarks made by both Fernandez and Marc Cucurella, who had also hinted at a possible future move before clarifying his commitment.
The manager explained that both players’ comments stemmed from ambition and a desire for success but highlighted the need for greater composure during difficult moments. He also revealed that he held a lengthy discussion with Cucurella and is confident in the defender’s dedication moving forward.
Since taking charge in January, Rosenior has overseen 10 wins from 19 matches, alongside seven losses and two draws. Chelsea currently sits sixth in the league standings, six points behind Aston Villa in the race for a Champions League place.
