Enzo Fernández will miss Chelsea FC’s next two matches after the club sanctioned him over comments made during the international break about a possible future in Spain.
The 25-year-old midfielder said on a podcast earlier this week that he would like to live in Madrid, amid ongoing speculation linking him with Real Madrid. His remarks came shortly after Chelsea’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, where Fernández also admitted uncertainty over his future at the club.
Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed the decision, stating Fernández will be unavailable for Saturday’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Port Vale and next weekend’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
“I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago,” Rosenior said. “As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday.”
Rosenior described the situation as disappointing, stressing that Fernández’s comments crossed a line in terms of the club’s culture. “I’ve got no bad words to say about him, but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build,” he added.
Despite the sanction, Rosenior emphasized that the decision is not permanent and that Fernández remains an important figure at the club. “The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture,” he said.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
