What Enzo Fernandez said about Real Madrid and why Chelsea dropped their midfielder

Enzo Fernandez has been dropped by Chelsea for two matches following his comments about a potential move to Real Madrid.

During an in an interview with YouTube channel Avirales which was released last weekend, Fernandez was not directly asked about Real Madrid but was questioned on which city he would like to live in.

‘I’d like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid, it reminds me of Buenos Aires,’ Fernandez said.

‘Players live where they want. I’d live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I’d be more comfortable in Spanish.’

Fernandez’s comments came after he cast doubt over his Chelsea future following their Champions League exit last month.

In an interview with ESPN Argentina, Fernandez was asked if he could guarantee that he will be a Chelsea player next season.

‘I don’t know, I don’t know,’ he replied.

‘There are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.’

Chelsea drop Enzo Fernandez for two games

On Friday, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior confirmed that Fernandez will not be selected for his side’s FA Cup tie against Port Vale on Saturday, or their Premier League match against Manchester City next Sunday.

‘It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way,’ Rosenior said.

‘I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. As a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful.

‘In terms of the decision, it’s not all about me, or the sporting directors. The ownership, the players, we are aligned in our decision.

‘The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed.’

Enzo Fernandez’s agent brands decision ‘unfair’

Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, has said that the Argentina international does not understand the decision and could ‘explore other options’ this summer.

‘The punishment is completely unfair,’ Pastore told The Athletic.

‘Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team’s most important players.

‘There’s no real reason or justification for why he has been banned. Enzo didn’t understand the situation. When the coach told him he accepted it because he’s a highly professional guy who’s always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it. He only mentions Madrid, the city.

‘Our plan after the World Cup is to meet with Chelsea again and, if there is no agreement, to explore other options.’

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