With hint of change
©IMAGO
Chelsea FC will be without Enzo Fernández in the next two competitive games. As head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed, the Argentine midfielder will not be considered for the time being following public statements about his future. The 25-year-old will miss both the FA Cup quarter-finals against Port Vale and the league game against Manchester City because, in the opinion of his coach, he went too far.
The measure was triggered by Fernández’s statements after the Blues’ clear Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain (2:8 after the return leg). In an interview, the world champion stated that he was not sure whether he would still play at Stamford Bridge next season. Rosenior spoke of the fact that “a limit had been crossed” internally. It’s not about attacking your protégé personally. “I really appreciate him as a player and a person. But statements like that don’t fit with the culture we want to build at the club.”
The decision is in line with the opinion of the club management and team. At the same time, Rosenior emphasized that this was a temporary measure: “The door is not closed for Enzo.” Fernández, who was signed in January 2023 for the then British record transfer fee of 121 million euros (click here for the record transfers in the Premier League) and has played 161 competitive games so far, recently caused a stir with hints about a possible move to Spain. Although he emphasized that there had been no talks with Real Madrid, he made it clear that he would be interested in living in Spain.
The unrest comes during a difficult sporting phase for Londoners. Between March 11th and 21st, Chelsea suffered four defeats in a row. Rosenior spoke of the “most difficult ten days” of his coaching career to date. In addition to Fernández, defender Marc Cucurella had also recently toyed with the idea of a change and hinted at a possible return to Barcelona, but later put it into perspective. According to Rosenior, such statements are related to the disappointment over the early elimination of the premier class: “The players wanted to achieve something special. Nevertheless, we need more emotional stability in such moments.”
In terms of sport, Chelsea are in the upper midfield of the table under Rosenior, who has been in office since January. After 19 games there are ten wins, two draws and seven defeats. The club ranks sixth in the Premier League.
