Reports say that Enzo Fernandez’s Chelsea teammates have asked head coach Liam Rosenior to lift the Argentine midfielder’s two-match suspension before this weekend’s important Premier League game against Manchester City. The club have given the 25-year-old a two-game ban, which meant he couldn’t play in the FA Cup match against Port Vale, which they won 7-0, and in their upcoming important Premier League match against Manchester City.
Fernandez was punished after saying on a podcast during the international break that he would like to live in Madrid. This led to rumours that he would move to Real Madrid in the summer. Rosenior said that the decision was made by everyone, including the owners, the sporting directors, and even the players.
But it seems that the mood in the dressing room has changed since the first decision was made. Fernandez’s teammates say he is a key player for the Manchester City game, which could be a turning point for Chelsea’s hopes of finishing in the top five this season. His teammates were very happy with the World Cup winner’s gesture after he went to the Port Vale game to support the team from behind the bench.
Meanwhile, Rosenior has said that Fernandez will keep his vice-captaincy and remain in Chelsea’s leadership group, despite being punished. He said he would not take anything away from the midfielder because he does not deserve it. It would be very hard to find someone who could do what Fernandez does all over the pitch for the City game.
Sources Close to Enzo Fernandez Indicate Renewal Remains His Priority if Chelsea Meet His Demands
While the suspension drama is making headlines, people close to the player say that Fernandez’s main goal is still to extend his contract at Stamford Bridge, as long as Chelsea meet his financial demands. The Blues are still determined to keep Fernandez and are still willing to offer him a better contract because they see him as one of the best midfielders in the world.
His agent, Javier Pastore, said that talks happened in December and January but fell through because the terms weren’t right for Fernandez’s current level. Pastore said he would meet with Chelsea again after the World Cup, but also that they would look into other options if they couldn’t reach an agreement.
Fernandez’s contract with Chelsea runs until 2032, and sources say the team think he is worth more than £100 million. In the next few weeks, it will be clear whether the Blues can break this deadlock and keep their £107 million record signing at the centre of their long-term plans.