Chelsea have taken a surprising step by dropping Enzo Fernandez from upcoming matches after his recent comments sparked internal concerns.
Enzo Fernandez sanction comes after the midfielder reportedly hinted at a possible move to Real Madrid during the international break.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed that Fernandez will not feature in the next two matches. These include the FA Cup tie against Port Vale and a league game against Manchester City.
However, Rosenior made it clear that the action was not personal. Instead, it was taken to protect the club’s values and dressing room unity.
“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.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that the decision was agreed upon collectively within the club.
“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.”
Meanwhile, he also clarified that the situation does not signal the end of Fernandez’s time at the club.
“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.”
In addition, the manager acknowledged the player’s frustration, linking it to the team’s desire for success.
Interestingly, a different approach was taken with Marc Cucurella, who also made public comments recently. He had criticised the club’s recruitment strategy during the same period.
However, no disciplinary action was taken against him. Rosenior revealed that he held a detailed conversation with the defender.
Meanwhile, the manager expressed confidence in Cucurella’s commitment moving forward.
Chelsea’s performance this season remains mixed. Since Rosenior took charge in January, the team has won 10 matches.
However, seven losses and two draws have kept them in sixth place. They currently sit six points behind Aston Villa in the race for a Champions League spot. Therefore, the absence of Fernandez could impact their short-term plans.
