Misses Port Vale & Man City 

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Enzo Fernández has been dropped by Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior for the next two matches following his comments made about his future at Stamford Bridge. The Argentina international spoke to the local media while on international duty where he refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid, fuelling speculation that he could leave the Blues after more than three years in west London.

In the aftermath of Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last month, following an 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG, Fernández told ESPN Argentina that he did not know whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season. He has subsequently held more interviews with Argentinian media outlets, flirting with a move to Spain in the summer without explicitly stating his intention to leave.

Fernández is understood to be upset with the departure of Enzo Maresca and appeared to indirectly criticise Rosenior’s tactics in one segment. As a result, the 25-year-old will not be part of the squad for the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale on Saturday nor their next Premier League clash with Manchester City after being sanctioned by Rosenior, who said Fernandez had ‘crossed a line’ in linking himself with the LaLiga giants.

“I spoke with Enzo. As part of the football club, he won’t be available for tomorrow or Manchester City. It’s disappointing to speak in that way. As a character and person, I have no bad words. But a line was crossed. We had to make a sanction,” Rosenior said in his press conference on Friday. “As a character, person and player, I have the utmost respect for Enzo Fernández. He’s frustrated because he wanted Chelsea to be successful this year. We still can be. It was a joint-decision.”

With Chelsea losing four games in a row, it is certainly a bold decision to take such a stance with Fernández, who has been one of their key players this season and has only missed one Premier League game. The Argentine has contributed 12 goals and six assists in all competitions, putting him on course for his best return since his €121 million transfer from Benfica in January 2023. While Cole Palmer has suffered a dip in form, Fernández has stepped up with some important performances as their playmaker and his market value has risen to €90 million.

While Rosenior has chosen to make an example out of the former Benfica star, he insisted that he still has a future in the capital – if he wants it. “The door is not closed on Enzo, it is a sanction. I can’t speak for him,” he added. “When he has been on the pitch, even at Everton, there was no lack of commitment in his performance or the club wanting to do well. What he wants in his future is not for me to speak about.”

Worryingly for Chelsea, another interview involving Marc Cucurella on international duty with Spain stoked similar controversy. The left-back admitted he would be tempted by a return to boyhood club Barcelona, but Rosenior’s response hinted that his talks with the 27-year-old were more positive and he will be available for their upcoming matches.

“That is a separate case. Marc is available and will be involved tomorrow [vs Port Vale],” Rosenior added. “Fantastic conversation with Marc yesterday in my office. The disappointing thing for me… I want players, if they have any issue, to come and speak to me. My disappointment with Marc is where it went to. He should’ve spoken to us first [before that interview]. Everyone knows his character. He’s passionate and wants to do well. He spoke with passion and with his mind. I reminded him he can be honest with me and the club. He’s fully committed, he wants to be here. He’s made that clear.”

Given the number of public incidents involving Chelsea of late, ranging from a €12.32 million Premier League fine and suspended transfer ban to posting historic losses in their public accounts earlier this week, it is a challenging time for the five-time Premier League winners. Fans are disgruntled with the so-called ‘project’ under the BlueCo regime and their unrest will only grow if the Blues miss out on Champions League qualification or are dumped out of the FA Cup.

Ultimately, Rosenior’s decision to drop Fernández and retain Cucurella in his starting XI may well be indicative of Chelsea’s summer transfer plans. But if Fernández leaves, it could spark an exodus that may tear apart a squad that was assembled built with the next five to 10 years in mind. For that reason, it is by far the biggest call the 41-year-old has made since taking charge in January. For his sake, he must ensure his team do not suffer on the pitch because of it.