Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been dropped for the team`s next two matches following comments he made during the international break. The 25-year-old said on a podcast this week that he would like to live in Madrid, amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid. Fernandez had already said last month, after Chelsea`s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, that he did not know whether he will be at Chelsea next season.
Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior confirmed on Friday that a decision has been taken by the club to remove the Argentina international from the team for Saturday`s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next weekend`s Premier League meeting 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.
“It`s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. 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.” Fernandez joined Chelsea for a then-British record £107 million ($142 million) in 2023 and was appointed vice-captain the following year. “Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect,” said Rosenior.
“He`s frustrated because he wants us to be successful. “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. 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.”
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