Liam Rosenior says Enzo Fernandez will not play in Chelsea’s next two matches because of comments he made about his future and links with Real Madrid.
Fernandez will miss the FA Cup quarter-final tie on Saturday against Port Vale and next Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City, live on Sky Sports.
“I spoke with Enzo an hour ago. We’ve made a decision – he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and he won’t be available for Manchester City,” Rosenior said.
“It’s disappointing to speak in that way. What I will say about Enzo is that, in terms of him as a person, I’ve got no bad words to say.
“But a line was crossed in terms of our culture. We had to make a sanction.”
Fernandez has been regularly linked with a summer move to Real and he cast doubt over his Chelsea future after their heavy Champions League last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, telling ESPN Argentina “I don’t know” when asked if he would still be at the club next season.
“My focus is here now. Then the World Cup coming up, so we’ll see after that,” he added.
Fernandez went further during his time with Argentina during the international break, telling Marcos Giles, an Argentinian media personality, “I really like Madrid – it’s similar to Buenos Aires”.
Fernandez was then questioned on whether he would consider living in Madrid, saying: “Yes, of course.”
Fernandez is not regarded as untouchable by Chelsea, who are planning to sign a new midfielder this summer.
The Chelsea vice-captain has a contract until 2032 and the Blues would only consider an offer of more than £100m for one of their key players.
More to follow…
