Chelsea has dropped midfielder Enzo Fernandez for its next two games following comments he made praising Madrid amid Real Madrid transfer links. Head coach Liam Rosenior said the remarks crossed a line for the club's culture. Fernandez will miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the Premier League clash with Manchester City.
Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea's vice-captain, spoke on Argentinian TV show Nadie Dice Nada about liking Madrid because it is 'very similar to Buenos Aires' with similar food. The 25-year-old World Cup winner, who joined Chelsea for a British record £107 million from Benfica in January 2023, also recently told Ole he does not know if he will be at Stamford Bridge next season, focusing instead on remaining matches and the World Cup ahead. Rosenior confirmed the sanction after speaking with Fernandez, stating, 'It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I’ve got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.' He added that the decision aligned the ownership, sporting directors and players, while emphasizing, 'The door is not closed on Enzo.'
