Premier League side Chelsea have dropped their Argentine sensation Enzo Fernandez for two matches after the midfielder publicly cast doubt over his future at Stamford Bridge. The development was confirmed by the London team’s manager, Liam Rosenior, on Friday.
“I spoke with Enzo an hour ago. As a football club, with me as part of that process, we’ve made a decision he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game (against Port Vale) and he won’t be available for Manchester City next Sunday,” Rosenior told the press.
“The door is not closed on Enzo; that’s very important. It’s a sanction,” Rosenior was quoted as saying by Reuters. “You have to protect this club and culture,” he said. “The line was crossed during the international break.”
As a consequence of the disciplinary action, Enzo Fernandez will miss Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City.
The World Cup winner had reportedly said that he will “look at his options after the World Cup” and expressed a desire to live in Spain. The 25-year-old has been linked to Real Madrid despite being the most expensive player in the history of the club. After being roped in for a club-record £106.8 million in 2023, he is contracted until 2032.
No other Spanish teams except Real Madrid have been linked to him, who wears the captain’s armband when Reece James is unavailable.
Meanwhile, Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, has criticised Chelsea’s decision to ban the midfielder. “The punishment is completely unfair,” Pastore told The Athletic. “There’s no real reason or justification for why he has been banned. Enzo didn’t understand the situation.”
“When the coach told him, he accepted it because he’s a highly professional guy who’s always fully committed, wherever he is, and respects decisions,” Pastore said. “But we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea—far from it.”