Chelsea have dropped vice-captain Enzo Fernandez for the next two matches after he made comments suggesting he would like to live in Madrid, which were interpreted as a desire to join Real Madrid. Manager Liam Rosenior said the Argentine had “crossed a line” with his remarks during the international break.
Fernandez will miss Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next Sunday’s Premier League match against Manchester City, though he will continue to train with the first team. Rosenior described the decision as a sanction to protect the club’s culture, adding: “The door is not closed on Enzo.”
The 23-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a British record £107 million in January 2023, first questioned his future at the club before suggesting he would like to live in Madrid. His agent, Javier Pastore, called the punishment “completely unfair”, arguing Fernandez only mentioned Madrid as a city he would like to live in, not as a club he wants to join.
Rosenior also addressed comments from Marc Cucurella, who criticised the sacking of former manager Enzo Maresca and expressed openness to returning to Barcelona. The manager said he spoke to Cucurella and confirmed the Spaniard remains fully committed to Chelsea.
The club lost four consecutive matches before the international break, including an 8-2 aggregate Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain. Rosenior described that period as “the most difficult 10 days of my career” but insisted there is unity in the dressing room. He also hinted that several players are close to signing new contracts, following captain Reece James’s recent commitment.
