Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior announced that Enzo Fernandez will miss the team’s next two matches after he “crossed the line” with comments he made about his future with the club.
Fernandez told a network after Chelsea’s Champions League exit last month that he didn’t know if he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
Enzo Fernandez hints at a move to Real Madrid
In the same interview, Fernandez said there were “no talks” with Real Madrid, adding that he was currently focused on Chelsea, but would “see what happens after the World Cup.”
Rosenior: Fernandez crossed the line
Rosenior said the midfielder has been left out of the squad for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale, as well as the Premier League match against Manchester City on April 12.
“It’s disappointing that Enzo has spoken this way,” Rosenior said. “I don’t have bad words for him, but a line has been crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. I have the utmost respect for him as a person and as a player, and he’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful.”
“As far as the decision is concerned, it’s not just me or the sporting directors; the management and the players are in agreement. The door isn’t closed for Enzo, but it’s a disciplinary measure. The club’s culture must be protected, and in this context, a line has been crossed.”
Rosenior added: “It’s not ideal. Much of this stems from a difficult 10-day period in terms of results, perhaps the most difficult I’ve experienced as a player or a manager.”
Cucurella will not be punished for his comments.
Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella criticized the Blues’ management for sacking Enzo Maresca at the start of the new year, asserting that the players supported the Italian and wanted him to stay.
Cucurella said, “Maresca’s departure affected us, but the club makes these decisions, and if I were in charge, I wouldn’t have made them.”
Rosnior announced that the Spanish player will not be punished for these comments, as he did not cross what he called the red lines that Enzo had already crossed with his recent remarks.
The former Strasbourg coach added, “I had a great conversation with Marc in my office. What’s disappointing for me is that if any of the players want to say something, they can simply come and speak to me freely.”
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He added, “Marc was supposed to speak to me before going to the media, but anyway, there are no problems. Everyone knows Marc’s character; he’s passionate and wants things to go well. He spoke passionately and just said what was on his mind. He’s 101% committed to us.”
He concluded, “Cucurella’s situation is separate from Enzo’s. He’ll be available to play with us tomorrow. Marc wants to be here and is fully committed. He made that clear to us.”
Chelsea’s chaos in the last month
Chelsea lost four consecutive matches between March 11 and 21, including an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League round of 16.
The Blues have dropped to sixth place in the Premier League table with 48 points, and the gap between the London club and fourth-placed Aston Villa is now a full six points after 31 rounds of matches.
It is worth noting that Chelsea have won 10 of their 19 games since Rosenior took charge in January, while losing seven and drawing two.
