Enzo Fernandez left out of Chelsea squads for Port Vale and Man City after comments on future

Chelsea make Enzo Fernandez unavailable for two matches

Chelsea will be without midfielder Enzo Fernandez for their next two fixtures, after head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed the player has been dropped for the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the following Premier League game with Manchester City.

Rosenior linked the decision directly to comments Fernandez made about his future during the international break, describing the situation as one in which “a line was crossed” in relation to the club’s culture. The coach stressed, however, that the move is a sanction rather than a permanent break, and that “the door is not closed” on the Argentina international.

What Rosenior said about the decision

Speaking at a press conference, Rosenior said he had no issue with Fernandez as a person, but felt the club had to respond to the public nature of the remarks. “It’s disappointing to speak in that way,” he said, adding that while he respects Fernandez’s achievements, the club had to act to protect its standards.

Rosenior described the omission as a joint decision, saying the club leadership and coaching staff were aligned on the response. He also framed Fernandez’s state of mind as one of frustration rather than indifference, suggesting the midfielder’s comments came at a time when he wanted Chelsea to be more successful this season and still believes they can be.

The comments that triggered the sanction

Fernandez has been repeatedly linked with a potential summer move to Real Madrid, and those links intensified after he spoke in interviews during the international break.

After Chelsea’s heavy Champions League last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Fernandez told ESPN Argentina “I don’t know” when asked whether he would still be at Chelsea next season. He added: “My focus is here now. Then the World Cup coming up, so we’ll see after that.”

During the same period, Fernandez also spoke to Marcos Giles, an Argentine media personality, and said: “I really like Madrid - it’s similar to Buenos Aires.” When asked whether he would consider living in Madrid, he replied: “Yes, of course.”

Rosenior’s view was that, regardless of intent, the comments created an issue the club could not ignore. He said the sanction was necessary to protect the environment Chelsea are trying to build.

Real Madrid interest and Chelsea’s stance

Real Madrid are planning to sign a midfielder this summer, and Fernandez is among the players said to be on their list, alongside Manchester City’s Rodri. It remains uncertain whether Madrid would be willing to spend more than £100m on Fernandez, particularly with cheaper options expected to be available.

From Chelsea’s perspective, Fernandez is not considered untouchable, but the club would only consider an offer above £100m for one of their key players. Fernandez, Chelsea’s vice-captain, is under contract until 2032.

Chelsea originally signed Fernandez from Benfica for a then-British record £106.8m three years ago, a fee that underlines both the investment made and the level of expectation placed on him.

Rosenior: commitment on the pitch has not been questioned

While the club has taken action over the comments, Rosenior was careful to separate the off-field issue from Fernandez’s performances. Asked whether the 25-year-old is happy at Chelsea, Rosenior said he could not speak for the player’s personal feelings.

What he did say was that Fernandez’s commitment in matches has not been in doubt, referencing the loss at Everton as an example where there was “no lack of commitment” in his display.

Rosenior also avoided speculating publicly on Fernandez’s long-term intentions, saying that was not his place, even while acknowledging the disruption created by the international break interviews.

Debate over whether dropping Fernandez helps Chelsea

The decision to leave out one of Chelsea’s most prominent players has sparked debate, including commentary that questioned whether a manager should step away from selecting a top performer because of fan reaction.

One view aired publicly was that the manager should allow supporters to respond in their own way, rather than removing the player from the team, particularly with a major league match against Manchester City approaching. The argument presented was that the omission could benefit Chelsea’s opponents, given Fernandez’s importance to the side.

Rosenior’s position, however, was that the club’s culture required a clear response, and that the sanction was designed to reinforce standards rather than escalate conflict.

Fernandez’s agent calls the punishment “completely unfair”

Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, criticised the club’s decision in an interview, describing it as “completely unfair.” Pastore said Fernandez did not understand the situation but accepted it as a professional who respects decisions.

Pastore’s main argument was that Fernandez did not explicitly mention wanting to leave Chelsea or refer to any club directly. He said the midfielder merely spoke about Madrid as a city when asked which European city he would like to live in one day.

According to Pastore, Fernandez’s reasoning for naming Madrid was about language and familiarity, describing it as similar to Buenos Aires, as well as the culture and weather. Pastore insisted that “at no point does he say he wants to leave Chelsea or London.”

Contract renewal talks have stalled

Pastore also revealed that discussions over a new contract have not progressed. He said talks began around December or January but did not result in an agreement, and the decision was taken not to renew because the terms were not right for the player or his representatives.

With six years still left on Fernandez’s existing deal, Pastore said they chose to leave the situation as it is and focus on performances rather than negotiations. He added that, in his view, Fernandez “deserves much more than he’s currently earning,” while also saying they did not want to get into figures publicly.

Pastore said the plan is to meet Chelsea again after the World Cup and, if no agreement is reached, to explore other options.

Cucurella comments: no sanction, but a private warning

Fernandez was not the only Chelsea player to speak publicly during the international break. Defender Marc Cucurella criticised the club’s recruitment policy of signing young players and also questioned the impact of Enzo Maresca’s departure on Chelsea’s recent struggles.

Rosenior confirmed he would not take disciplinary action against Cucurella, but said he had spoken to the player and made clear that such concerns should be raised internally rather than in public interviews.

Rosenior described a “fantastic conversation” with Cucurella that lasted around half an hour in his office. He said his disappointment was not necessarily with the feelings Cucurella expressed, but with where the conversation took place. Rosenior said he has told the squad from day one to bring issues to him and to the sporting directors.

Cucurella remains available and could captain the side

Despite the criticism, Cucurella remains available for selection and could even captain Chelsea in the FA Cup tie against Port Vale. Rosenior listed him among the options to wear the armband for the match.

The coach also suggested Cucurella’s personality played a part in how the interview came across, describing him as passionate and someone who speaks his mind. Rosenior said the player has made it “very, very clear” he wants to be at Chelsea and believes in the direction the club is heading.

Rosenior points to a difficult period and an “emotional dump”

Rosenior acknowledged that the timing of both Fernandez’s and Cucurella’s comments was far from ideal, but he attempted to place them in the context of a challenging stretch of results and emotions.

He described the previous 10 days as among the most difficult of his career as a player or coach, pointing back to the PSG match. Rosenior said Chelsea’s belief and performance were strong before things “fell apart in 15 minutes,” leading to what he called a “huge emotional dump” that carried into the next three games.

In his view, the interviews stemmed from a place of wanting the club to succeed, but also highlighted a need for greater emotional control in difficult moments.

“Emotional stability” and the summer plan

Rosenior said Chelsea have already discussed plans for the summer with ownership and sporting directors, and he used the phrase “players with emotional stability” to describe the type of character the club wants to add.

He said the aim is to bring in good characters who can handle difficult moments and understand what it takes to win when pressure rises. Rosenior also said there have been conversations with certain players in the group who are happy with the direction the club intends to take.

Transfer activity expected: key positions identified

Chelsea are expected to be busy in the transfer market. Rosenior indicated that signings are likely to include established players with proven Premier League experience, a shift in emphasis that reflects the concerns aired about squad balance and experience.

The club is expected to sign a centre-back and a midfielder. A goalkeeper signing cannot be ruled out, although one possibility mentioned is Mike Penders returning from a loan at sister club Strasbourg.

Two players have already signed deals to join Chelsea in the summer: Strasbourg forward Emmanuel Emegha and Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda.

What to watch next for Chelsea

• Team selection without Fernandez: Chelsea will face Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-final and then Manchester City in the Premier League without the midfielder.

• How the squad responds: Rosenior has framed the situation as a cultural reset and a test of emotional control after a difficult run.

• Contract and future discussions: With renewal talks stalled and the agent outlining a plan to revisit negotiations after the World Cup, Fernandez’s longer-term position remains a live issue.

• Summer recruitment direction: Chelsea have identified a centre-back and a midfielder as priorities, with the club also open to adding experience and stability.

A sanction framed as temporary, but with wider implications

Rosenior has been consistent in portraying Fernandez’s omission as a sanction rather than a permanent separation, emphasising respect for the player and leaving a route back into the team. At the same time, the episode has exposed the tension that can arise when high-profile players discuss uncertain futures in public, particularly during a period of poor results and heightened scrutiny.

With an FA Cup quarter-final followed by a league meeting with Manchester City, Chelsea must now navigate two major fixtures amid a renewed focus on standards, communication, and the club’s plans for the summer.