Chelsea have dropped vice-captain Enzo Fernández for the next two matches after comments he made during the international break about his future and a desire to live in Madrid. Manager Liam Rosenior said the Argentine had 'crossed a line' regarding the club's culture.
Fernández will miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next Sunday's Premier League clash with 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 that 'the door is not closed' on Fernández.
The 23-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Benfica for a British record £107m in January 2023, first questioned whether he would stay beyond this season and later suggested he would like to live in Madrid, a comment widely interpreted as courting a move to Real Madrid. His agent, Javier Pastore, called the punishment 'completely unfair', arguing that Fernández only mentioned Madrid as a city he would like to live in due to language and cultural similarities to Buenos Aires, not as a desire to leave Chelsea.
Rosenior also addressed comments from Marc Cucurella, who criticised the sacking of previous manager Enzo Maresca and expressed openness to a return to Barcelona. The manager confirmed he had spoken to Cucurella, who has since reaffirmed his commitment to Chelsea.
Despite the controversies, Rosenior insisted there is no rift in the dressing room, stating the team remains united after a difficult period that saw four consecutive defeats and a Champions League exit. He also hinted that more players, following captain Reece James, are set to sign new contracts in the coming weeks.
