The case of Enzo Fernandez isn't quite over yet. His comments made over the past international has put him in hot water with the club. He made coments about his preferred destination of living. This has led to a two game ban.
Enzo Fernandez will sit out Chelsea's next two games after he "crossed a line" with comments he made about his future at the club, said manager, Liam Rosenior.
He's talked up Madrid as a great place to live. Fernandez said: "I’d like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid; it reminds me of Buenos Aires. Players live where they want. I’d live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I’d be more comfortable in Spanish."
After Chelsea's exit from the Champions League last month, Fernandez told ESPN that he didn't know whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
The 25-year-old Argentine joined the Blues for what was a British record transfer fee of £107m in January 2023 and has made 161 appearances.
Reports claim that Fernandez's comments haven't been well received by some of the Chelsea dressing room. The club are in the midst of a difficult period having suffered four successive defeats, which has harmed their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Rosenior said the midfielder has been dropped for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the Premier League fixture against Manchester City on 12 April.
"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. As a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He's frustrated because he wants us to be successful."
"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. 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."
Rosenior confirmed Fernandez will retain the vice-captaincy, adding: "I won't be stripping him of anything because he doesn't deserve that. We had a really calm conversation. I explained the decision and why. I know it doesn't look like it right now, but Enzo and I have an unbelievable relationship."
The issue appears far from settled, with Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore saying the Argentina international does not understand the decision.
"The punishment is completely unfair," Pastore told the Athletic. "Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team's most important players."
"He has proven himself this year to be a leader and a key player, the backbone of this Chelsea side. I think it's far too harsh given Chelsea's current situation, and 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, but we don't understand the punishment because he doesn't mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it."
Despite bringing the club into disrepute with a series of ill-advised comments and interviews, Chelsea are prepared to give Enzo Fernandez what he wants after admitting to internal failings.
Fernandez has been flirting with Real Madrid who hold confirmed interest in the Argentine. The situation came to a head during the recent international break and all parties have had their say.
Blues boss Liam Rosenior announced Fernandez will not be considered for selection in either of Chelsea’s next two matches.
That was quickly followed by reporter, Ben Jacobs, revealing Chelsea owners, BlueCo, are standing behind Rosenior in this matter. The decision to punish Fernandez with a two-game expulsion was made with the input of the hierarchy and Rosenior’s call is viewed internally as strong management.
Rosenior subsequently confirmed Fernandez will still train with the group during his brief absence from the team. Stripping him of the club’s vice-captaincy is NOT being considered.
Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, then chimed in, claiming his client has been unfairly punished by Chelsea. Pastore also confirmed Chelsea had recently held talks with the midfielder and his camp regarding a new and improved contract, though a breakthrough wasn't made.
It is the lack of progress on an improved deal that is understood to be the true heart of this saga.
According to Graeme Bailey over on TEAMtalk, Chelsea have secretly admitted Fernandez is underpaid when compared to his standing in the squad and the world game.
Accordingly, Bailey revealed that despite Fernandez’s recent actions, Chelsea are prepared to swallow their pride and give Fernandez what he wants – a new deal on higher wages.
Bailey explained: "The player’s representatives believe the Argentine World Cup winner is currently earning below his market value – a stance that sources indicate Chelsea themselves acknowledge."
Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella didn't hold back during a recent interview with the Athletic, saying Chelsea have "paid the price" for their inexperience; questioning Enzo Maresca’s mid-season departure and saying the heavy defeat by PSG in the last 16 of the Champions League has left players "discouraged."
The optics could hardly be worse. Cucurella and Fernández are leaders in the dressing room. Their comments have resonated with many supporters and, almost four years into the BlueCo era, have raised troubling questions about whether the Chelsea model can bring sustained success at the highest level.
The worry has always been how the project rebels against established football norms, particularly with the focus on signing young players. It was a point debated with Liam Rosenior when he was introduced as Maresca’s replacement as head coach in January. Rosenior pointed to the Class of 92 at Manchester United, who defied Alan Hansen’s "you can’t win anything with kids" jibe by claiming the double in 1995-96.
The riposte, though, was that United’s emerging stars came into a squad that had Eric Cantona; Roy Keane; Peter Schmeichel; Denis Irwin and Steve Bruce. United had wise old heads capable of guiding the youngsters through difficult moments. Do Chelsea?
Recent evidence suggests not. Even if Fernández’s complaints have merit, going on the offensive in public hardly feels appropriate from a player who wears the captain’s armband when Reece James is out. Fernández is talking a good game but what kind of leadership was he displaying when he publicly berated Filip Jörgensen after the goalkeeper’s mistake against PSG?
This is not how a team with a strong culture behaves. As Chelsea reflect after defeats by Everton, Newcastle and PSG, these outbursts have them wondering about the mentality of some players. However, Fernández’s frustration hints at impatience. Chelsea have looked for a rising head coach and trusted that an inexperienced squad will grow together. The potential flaw is that the Argentinian’s rebellious comments show the best players won't want to wait for others to realise their potential.
Chelsea can point to Fernández’s deal running until 2032. They have protected their finances by lowering the wage bill and handing out heavily incentivised long contracts. Again, though, the danger is the project runs up against human envy. A leading player at Chelsea will still be one of the best remunerated in the league when incentives are met.
Yet, players at other clubs will have a higher guaranteed income. Players gossip. They might hear how much an international colleague is making at a rival. Fernández is said to want an improved deal. There is no time pressure on Chelsea to give him one but that will not necessarily stop the player from agitating.
Liam Rosenior says Marc Cucurella will not be banned after the Spaniard blasted the Chelsea project and the decision to sack Enzo Maresca. The decision is in stark contrast to team-mate Enzo Fernandez.
in a bombshell interview, Cucurella revealed he and his team-mates would “die" for the Italian after he spearheaded them to Club World Cup and Uefa Conference League glory last year.
The Spaniard also slammed Chelsea for only signing young players as they aim to add to the trophy cabinet.
Rosenior revealed he has held discussions with Cucurella over his shock comments. The Chelsea chief said: "I had a fantastic conversation with Marc yesterday for half an hour in my office."
"I’ve said to them from day one, if they’ve got any issue with how we do things, come and speak to me and the sporting directors. My disappointment in Marc’s interview was where it went to. I think he should have spoken to us first about the things that he is feeling."
"I want players to feel like they can speak openly and honestly for the benefit of the football club. And those conversations we’ve had with Reece James. That’s why Reece has signed a new contract. He believes in where we’re going."
"As a football club, we know we need to improve, myself included, and we actually know what we’re going to do in the summer to achieve those objectives."
Fernandez has been suspended from the squad for the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next week’s Premier League showdown with Manchester City.
The Blues decided to punish their vice-captain after repeatedly casting doubt over his future and criticising Maresca’s exit.
Cucurella will not follow suit and has given assurances that he wants to stay in West London despite admitting it would be difficult to snub Barcelona if they come calling.
Rosenior added: "Everybody knows Marc Cucurella. They know he is a great character, he is passionate and wants to do well. “I think, for him, he did a long interview where he spoke with passion and he spoke his mind."
"Yesterday I was in the office with him for half an hour to remind him, 'you can come and speak to me. You can be honest with me and you can be honest with the club about what you want'."
"That takes time. I’ve been here for two-and-a-half months and we’ve played 20 games, so to build those relationships and those connections takes time. But Marc is fully committed. He wants to be here. He has made that very, very clear to me and he actually believes in where we’re moving forward."
It's also been revealed that Cole Palmer is also becoming increasingly disillusioned with life in West London and open to joining Manchester United.
This doesn't make sense to me. Fernandez and Cucurella both spoke badly about the club. Each should get punished equally. That the problem with journalism. They blow simple statements out of proportion. They will look to make a story about the littlest of matters.
A destination statement doesn't deserve a punishment. Everyone is bound to be asked that question at one point.