Chelsea Enzo Fernandez ban confirmed by Liam Rosenior as midfielder misses Man City clash despite apology over controversial comments
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed in London, United Kingdom on Friday, that midfielder Enzo Fernández will not feature against Manchester City in the Premier League, despite issuing an apology over recent comments regarding his future during the international break.
The decision means Fernández remains sidelined for a second consecutive competitive fixture, having already been dropped for Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Port Vale, following disciplinary action taken by the club.
The sanction was imposed after the Argentine midfielder’s remarks sparked internal concern, prompting Chelsea to enforce what Rosenior described as a formal punishment in line with club standards.
Although Fernández and his representative initially pushed back against the decision, both have since apologised to the club and coaching staff.
However, the disciplinary measure has been upheld ahead of Sunday’s high-profile clash with Manchester City.
Rosenior confirmed he had held multiple discussions with the player but stressed that the club’s stance would not change in the short term.
“I’ve had a really good conversation, I’ve had three or four with Enzo. He’s apologised to me, to the club, and we’ll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday,” Rosenior said.
He added that the decision was not a reflection on Fernández’s character, but rather a response to maintaining discipline within the squad during a critical stage of the season.
“It’s a serious meeting about something very serious to Enzo. I’m not questioning Enzo’s character or who he is as a person. People make mistakes and you can’t overstep the punishment for the mistake,” he stated.
Rosenior further confirmed that Fernández remains part of Chelsea’s long-term plans, but indicated that full reintegration would only come after internal conditions are met.
“No, he won’t play on Sunday. But hopefully after that he’ll be a massive part of the group moving forward,” he said, noting that “a few hurdles” remain within the club’s internal process.
Despite the setback, Chelsea are pushing for focus and stability as they prepare for a crucial Premier League encounter against reigning champions Manchester City.
