Enzo Fernández will miss Chelsea FC’s next two matches after manager Liam Rosenior said the midfielder “crossed a line” with remarks about his future at the club.
The decision follows comments Fernandez made after Chelsea’s exit from the UEFA Champions League last month.
Manager takes action
Fernandez told ESPN he was unsure whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season. Rosenior said the remarks went against the culture the club is trying to build.
The Argentina international will now miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale FC and the Premier League fixture against Manchester City on 12 April.
Rosenior said the sanction was agreed collectively by the club’s leadership and squad but stressed that the door remains open for the player.
Future uncertainty
Fernandez joined Chelsea from SL Benfica in January 2023 for a then British-record fee of £107m and has since made 161 appearances for the club.
In the same interview, he said there had been no discussions with Real Madrid but admitted he would “see after the World Cup”.
He also said he would like to live in Spain one day, adding that Madrid reminded him of his hometown of Buenos Aires.
Difficult spell for Chelsea
Chelsea’s recent struggles have contributed to the situation. The club lost four consecutive matches between 11 and 21 March, including an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16.
Defender Marc Cucurella also hinted recently that he could return to FC Barcelona in the future, although he later said he was happy at Chelsea.
Chelsea currently sit sixth in the Premier League, six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa FC in the race for Champions League qualification.
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