Enzo Fernandes will miss Chelsea’s next two games, Liam Rosenior has confirmed, following his comments regarding the Real Madrid transfer candidate. The Blues face Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend, before title-chasing Manchester City visit Stamford Bridge next week.
Fernandes was absent from both matches, and Rosenior was left without a punch following the Argentine’s comments. When asked about leaving Chelsea after the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the former Benfica ace replied modestly: “I don’t know. There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.”
Meanwhile, during his recent international break, Fernandes insisted he was open to living in the Spanish capital following increased links with Real Madrid. He said: “I really like Madrid. It’s similar to Buenos Aires.”
Rossenyol revealed that Fernandes had been punished for his abusive language ahead of this weekend’s away trip, a comment that proved to be too much for the 25-year-old. The former Strasbourg manager said: “I spoke to Enzo an hour ago. As a football club, I was also part of the decision: he will not be available for tomorrow’s game or next Sunday against Manchester City. We have crossed a line in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”
It was a bold statement from Rosenior, especially as Fernandes was not the only Chelsea player whose comments raised eyebrows during the international break. Manager Marc Cucurella has questioned the direction of the club, hinting that Chelsea’s leaders made a mistake in letting Enzo Maresca leave.
Fernandes’ actions have attracted much criticism from across the football world, with former Chelsea ace John Obi Mikel essentially telling Fernandes to “shut up or get out”. Speaking on his show The Obi Wan Podcast, the Nigerian player said: “To come out wearing the captain’s armband after we were disgracefully kicked out of the Champions League… There is no greater player than a football club.
“If he says enough is enough, then put your hands up and stop fucking, and we’ll move on. We’ll move on. There’s no bigger player than a football club, especially at a club as big as Chelsea. You can’t come out and say that. It doesn’t matter what’s going on.”
“It doesn’t matter what’s going on. You’re paid a good salary to be at this football club and you should be grateful that you’re playing for a club like Chelsea. For you to come out and say something like that is very disrespectful to the football club and the fans.”
