Rosenior Attempts to Calm Fernández Storm After Chelsea's FA Cup Rout
Even after Chelsea demolished Port Vale 7-0 to secure a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, manager Liam Rosenior found himself fielding persistent questions about his vocal vice-captain Enzo Fernández. The Argentine midfielder's recent comments during the international break had sparked significant controversy, leading to his suspension for this emphatic victory.
Fernández's Comments and Suspension
Fernández appeared to cast doubt on his Chelsea future when he spoke glowingly about former Real Madrid legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, while also mentioning Madrid as his preferred European city to live in. These remarks came after Chelsea's Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on March 17th, with Fernández suggesting he would assess his Chelsea future after the upcoming World Cup.
Rosenior took decisive action by suspending Fernández from both Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester City. The Chelsea manager felt the midfielder's comments had "crossed the line" and potentially threatened the culture he is working to establish at Stamford Bridge.
Manager and Player 'In a Very Good Place'
Despite the disciplinary action, Rosenior was pleased to see Fernández present at Stamford Bridge to support his teammates during the Port Vale match. The manager sought to draw a line under the affair, emphasizing that their relationship remains strong.
"In the right time, in the right moment, which isn't now, going through what we've gone through, I'm sure the discussion will happen in terms of what's been said between me and Enzo," Rosenior explained. "Enzo and I are in a very good place. I saw him today, had a really good conversation with him today one-to-one and things aren't what people maybe think they are."
The Chelsea manager stressed the sanctity of the dressing room, stating: "The conversations I have with my individual players, with Enzo, with anyone in the squad when it comes to things like this, stay within. The dressing room is sacred."
Agent's Criticism and Moving Forward
Rosenior's decision to punish Fernández drew criticism from the player's agent, Javier Pastore, who called it "completely unfair" and insisted Fernández had not intended to disrespect Chelsea. Rosenior responded diplomatically: "That's his opinion. I don't have anything to say on someone else's opinion. Enzo knows what I think of him and it was brilliant to see him here to support the players."
The manager now wants to focus on football, declaring: "We'll move forward and make sure we have a really good run-in in the season." He remains optimistic about Chelsea's prospects, stating: "I've got a group of players who still believe, as I do, we can have an outstanding season in terms of winning an FA Cup, in terms of qualifying for the Champions League."
Injury Concern and Team Performance
On a less positive note, Rosenior reported that winger Jamie Gittens suffered another hamstring injury during training on Friday. However, the manager was delighted with his team's application and intensity against Port Vale, particularly given the comprehensive nature of their 7-0 victory.
The Chelsea squad demonstrated their commitment despite the off-field distractions, with Jorrel Hato killing Port Vale's FA Cup dream within just 64 seconds of the match starting. This emphatic performance suggests Rosenior's message about maintaining focus is getting through to his players as they pursue silverware and European qualification.
