Chelsea have suspended Enzo Fernandez for the next two matches, manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed.
Vice-captain Fernandez cast major doubt on his Blues future when speaking over the international break amid links with Real Madrid.
Liam Rosenior after Chelsea lose to Everton.
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Rosenior has not been impressed with Fernandez's commentsCredit: Getty
"I really like Madrid, it's similar to Buenos Aires," he said in an interview when asked if he could live in another country.
When pressed on whether or not he could call Madrid home, the 25-year-old-replied: "Yes, of course."
It came after a damning assessment of the club's recent decisions following the 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Marc Cucurella echoed the Argentine's comments during a dramatic international break for the west Londoners.
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talkSPORT understands Fernandez is open to joining Madrid in the summer, but has not directly told Chelsea that he wants to leave.
Head coach Rosenior has now revealed the midfielder, who cost Chelsea £106.8million in 2023, has been formally sanctioned by the club.
Fernandez will miss the FA Cup visit of Port Vale on Saturday and the Premier League clash with Manchester City as sixth-place Chelsea fight to save their season.
"I spoke with Enzo. As part of the football club, he won't be available for tomorrow or Manchester City," he confirmed.
"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."
Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez
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Fernandez has spoken candidly about leaving Chelsea this summerCredit: Getty
On the vice-captain's future, he added: "I can't speak for him.
"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."
What about Cucurella?
Rosenior confirmed Cucurella would be not be sanctioned, despite his criticism of the club, describing his interview as a 'separate case'.
"That's a separate case," Rosenior said. "Marc is available and will be involved tomorrow.
"I had a fantastic chat with Marc yesterday, half an hour in my office. I've been here for less than three months, I'm enjoying it.
"My disappointment in Marc's interview was where it went to, I think he should've spoke to us first about how he was feeling.
"As a football club, we know we need to improve. We know what we're going to do in the summer to achieve those objectives."
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