Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has cast further doubt on Enzo Fernandez's future by admitting a "few hurdles" need to be overcome to resolve the midfielder’s situation.
The Argentina international will sit out the Blues’ Premier League clash with Manchester City after Rosenior confirmed he will not overturn an internal two-match suspension.
Fernandez was hit with the in-house ban following an interview during the international break in which he appeared to court Real Madrid.
Having missed last weekend's 7-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Port Vale, the World Cup winner has apologised for his comments but will remain out of contention for Sunday’s match at home to title-chasing City.
While Rosenior expressed hope Fernandez will be a "massive part of the group moving forward", he revealed there are still issues to clear up.
"I had three or four (conversations) with Enzo," said Rosenior. "He’s apologised to me, he’s apologised to the club, and we’ll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday."
Asked about the talks with Fernandez, the manager continued: "It’s a serious meeting about something very serious that Enzo has said.
"Every single step along this way, I’m not questioning Enzo’s character, I’m not questioning who he is as a person.
"I believe people make mistakes and you can’t overstep the punishment for the mistake. We’ve made a sanction, I made a decision, and what I want from Enzo is to go on here and have an outstanding career.
"He won’t play on Sunday but hopefully after that he will be a massive part of the group moving forward.
"There are still are few hurdles that need to be overcome that I won’t go into, but at the same time I want every player really, really focused on a huge run-in."
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea at Etihad Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Manchester, England.
Enzo Fernandez scored against City earlier in the season but will sit out the home fixture
Sixth-placed Chelsea are bidding to put their quest for Champions League qualification back on track after taking just five points from the last 18 available.
With five English teams guaranteed to be in European club football’s top competition next season, the Blues begin the weekend a point below fifth-placed Liverpool.
Rosenior dismissed suggestions overlooking Fernandez for the City game was self-sabotage.
"Football is a team sport; it’s not about individuals, it’s not about shooting yourself in the foot," said Rosenior.
"There are certain values and cultures that I believe in, that this club believes in, that makes the team stronger if you get that right."
With Pep Guardiola’s City chasing leaders Arsenal in the title race, Rosenior also played down suggestions that willingly leaving out one of his best players damaged the integrity of the competition.
"No (that is not a concern)," he said. "I’ve got an outstanding squad, full of outstanding players.
"It’s still a very difficult team to pick in terms of the starting XI. I need to get that right in the next few days."
Rosenior said injured defenders Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill are making positive steps in their respective recoveries but will not feature against City. Winger Jamie Gittens also remains sidelined.
Bernardo Silva has been one of Pep Guardiola's trusted lieutenants
Meanwhile, Guardiola has paid tribute to Bernardo Silva as his captain nears the end of his Manchester City career – but claims he is yet to be told of his departure.
Silva looks set to leave City when his contract expires this summer after nine years at the Etihad Stadium, and assistant manager Pep Lijnders all but confirmed as much last week.
"Every good story comes to an end and I hope he enjoys the last months – because there is only six weeks – and has a good farewell," said Lijnders.
There has been no official confirmation by the club or Silva, however, and Guardiola insists he is still in the dark.
The City manager said: "I'm so grumpy with Bernardo because a month ago I said, 'If you take a decision I have to be the first to (know)’ and he didn’t say anything to me yet.
"I said, jokingly, ‘Tell me, I deserve it’ but he didn’t tell me so I don’t know what’s going on!"
Silva has made 450 appearances for City since his move from Monaco in 2017. His honours include six Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.
After City’s underwhelming 2024-25 season, Guardiola appointed him captain this term, believing he had the perfect attributes for the role.
"The best decision I made this season," Guardiola said.
"The team comes first. Sometimes politicians say something like that – the country comes first but then after it never comes first – but with Bernardo it is what it is.
"Last season was the toughest one but he was always there, leading by example playing and training good."
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