Enzo Fernandez missed Chelsea's 7-0 victory over Port Vale in the FA Cup after hinting at a transfer to Real Madrid, and he'll also be left out for their next Premier League game
Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella
Enzo Fernandez was supporting his team-mates while banned from playing during Chelsea's clash with Port Vale(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has issued a response after Enzo Fernandez's agent, Javier Pastore, gave a bombshell interview and labelled his client's punishment 'completely unfair'. Fernandez, 25, has been dropped for two matches after flirting with a transfer to Real Madrid both before and during the recent international break.
The Argentine talked up the idea of living in Madrid, having previously revealed that he was open to leaving Chelsea following this summer's World Cup. Fernandez also named Real legends Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as two of his idols.
The Chelsea hierarchy decided to ban their vice-captain from playing in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at home to Port Vale. Fernandez also won't play when Chelsea host Manchester City in the Premier League next Sunday.
After the Blues enjoyed a resounding 7-0 win to book their ticket to Wembley, Rosenior was asked about Pastore's comments. "That's his opinion. I don't have anything to say on someone else's opinion," the Chelsea manager replied.
"Enzo knows what I think of him and it was brilliant to see him here to support the players today. We'll move forward and make sure we have a really good run-in in the season."
Rosenior was then asked if Fernandez had apologised to his team-mates. "I said yesterday, the conversations I have with my individual players, with Enzo, with anyone in the squad when it comes to things like this, stay within," he explained.
"The dressing room is sacred. I made it really clear yesterday what I think of him as a person. He's a top, top guy. But at the same time, I want us now to focus on the football and achieve what we want to achieve through the season."
Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior has held talks with Enzo Fernandez after his comments(Image: Izzy Poles - AMA/Getty Images)
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On whether he thought that Chelsea's sanction was unfair, Rosenior said: "In the right time, in the right moment, which isn't now, going through what we've gone through, I'm sure the discussion will happen in terms of what's been said between me and Enzo.
"Enzo and I are in a very good place. I saw him today, had a really good conversation with him today one-to-one, and things aren't what people maybe think they are."