After a turbulent international break that saw manager Liam Rosenior’s leadership questioned, Chelsea face Ligue 1 side Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday night.
Liam Rosenior releases three key players (Image: Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)
Manager Liam Rosenior made a point of leaving out Enzo Fernandes, Moises Caicedo and Marc Cucurella for Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Port Vale. The Blues have endured a turbulent international break and three of their key players have given eye-catching interviews.
Chelsea head into Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final on the back of a fourth straight defeat, having been eliminated from the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and dropping to sixth in the Premier League. The pressure is on for Rosenior, who arrived in January to replace Enzo Maresca.
The former Strasbourg head coach has had his authority tested by provocative public comments made by three of his star players. Chelsea captain Fernandes has been having an affair with Real Madrid and Cucurella said the club should have stuck with Maresca, while Caicedo also hinted at a possible move.
Coach Rossenyol announced in his pre-match press conference that he had decided to keep Fernandes out for two games, saying his captain had “crossed the line”. The Chelsea manager also left out Cucurella and Caicedo against Port Vale.
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The outspoken trio will be replaced by Tocin, Andrei Santos and Estevao against Ligue 1 teams. This is the only change in the lineup, and you can understand Rosenior’s feelings.
“It’s unfortunate that Enzo made such a statement,” Rosseniol told reporters on Friday after Fernandes hinted he could leave Chelsea for Real in the summer.
“I don’t mean to say anything bad about him, but he crossed a line in terms of our culture and what we want to build. I have the utmost respect for him as a character, as a person and as a player. It’s frustrating because he wants us to be successful.”
Enzo Fernandes will also not feature in next Sunday’s match against Manchester City (Image: PA)
“When it comes to this decision, it’s not just about me or the sporting director. The owners, the players and we are all united in the decision. The door is not closed on Enzo. This is a sanction. We have to protect the culture. In that respect, a line has been crossed.”
Javier Pastore, Fernandes’ agent, was not pleased with the decision, saying: “This punishment is completely unfair. Imposing a two-match ban on this player is also extremely important for Chelsea, as their Champions League qualification is at stake and he is one of the most important players in the team.”
“Along with other players, of course, he has proven himself this year to be a leader and a key player, the backbone of Chelsea’s team. I think it’s too harsh given the current situation at Chelsea and there’s no real reason or justification for him being suspended.”
Following Fernandes’ comments, left-back Cucurella also criticized the club’s policy of signing young players. “The players were motivated to do something really special in the Champions League,” Rosenior said.
“Both Enzo and Marc Cucurella’s comments in the interview come from that. In fact, it comes from a good place that they want the club to succeed. But in moments like that you need more mental stability as a group of players.”
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