Chelsea FC midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been sanctioned by the club after appearing to advocate for a potential move to European giants Real Madrid during the recent international break.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed that Fernandez will miss the club’s next two fixtures as part of the disciplinary action. The Argentine midfielder is set to sit out the FA Cup quarter-final clash against Port Vale on Saturday, as well as next Sunday’s Premier League encounter against Manchester City.
The sanction follows comments made by Fernandez during the international break, which were interpreted as showing interest in a future move to Real Madrid. The remarks reportedly raised concerns within the club hierarchy about commitment and team culture.
Speaking on the decision, Rosenior acknowledged Fernandez’s qualities but stressed that the club must uphold its values and internal standards.
"It's disappointing for Enzo to speak that way," Rosenior said.
"I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. As a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He's frustrated because he wants us to be successful."
Rosenior explained that the decision to sanction Fernandez was made collectively by the club’s leadership and players, emphasizing unity within the organization.
"In terms of the decision, it's not all about me, or the sporting directors. The ownership, the players, we are aligned in our decision," he added.
Despite the disciplinary measure, Rosenior made it clear that Fernandez remains an important part of Chelsea’s plans moving forward.
"The door is not closed on Enzo. It's a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed," the manager stated.
Meanwhile, Rosenior revealed that no disciplinary action would be taken against teammate Marc Cucurella, who also made headlines during the international break after criticising the club’s recruitment policy and questioning the exit of former manager Enzo Maresca.
According to Rosenior, he held a 30-minute conversation with Cucurella on Thursday and is satisfied with the defender’s commitment to the team.
Rosenior said the Spain international remains "fully committed" to the club despite his public comments, indicating that the situation had been resolved internally.
Chelsea have shown mixed form since Rosenior took charge in January, recording 10 wins from 19 matches, alongside seven defeats and two draws. The results have kept the club in contention for European qualification but also highlighted inconsistencies in performance.
Currently, Chelsea sit sixth in the Premier League standings, six points behind Aston Villa, who occupy fourth place — the final qualification spot for the UEFA Champions League.
The club’s upcoming fixtures against Port Vale and Manchester City are seen as crucial in determining Chelsea’s momentum as the season enters its decisive phase.
Fernandez’s absence could present a challenge for Rosenior, given the midfielder’s influence in Chelsea’s midfield and his role in controlling tempo and linking play.
However, the manager’s decision signals a strong stance on discipline and team unity, as Chelsea push to secure a Champions League spot and finish the season strongly.
The situation also adds further intrigue to Fernandez’s future, with speculation likely to continue regarding potential interest from Real Madrid and other European clubs.
For now, Chelsea’s focus remains on maintaining momentum and ensuring that internal discipline does not derail their pursuit of a top-four finish.
