‘A line was crossed’ – Enzo Fernandez dropped for Chelsea’s next two matches

Enzo Fernandez will not play in either of Chelsea’s next two matches after the club sanctioned him for comments made during the international break that cast doubt on his Stamford Bridge future.

The 25-year-old has been linked with Real Madrid and fuelled speculation by telling a podcast he would like to live in the Spanish capital, while defender Marc Cucurella also gave a frank interview regarding “instability” at the club and which questioned the recruitment policy.

Fernandez’s comments, though, have been deemed the most damaging and are the clearest indication yet he sees his future away from west London.

Following the 3-0 home Champions League defeat to Paris St Germain in March, he said he did not know whether he would be at Chelsea next season.

Head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed a decision had been taken by the club to remove him from the team for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next weekend’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City.

“I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago,” said Rosenior. “As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday.

“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. 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.”

Fernandez joined Chelsea for a then-British record £107million in 2023 and was appointed vice-captain the following year.

After a difficult start he has grown to become one of the most influential players at the club, both on the pitch and in terms of his off-field influence.

Losing him would represent a major blow to owners BlueCo and their ambitions of turning Chelsea into Premier League title challengers.

“Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect,” said Rosenior. “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.”

Rosenior revealed no disciplinary action would be taken against Cucurella after he said in an interview with The Athletic the dismissal of former boss Enzo Maresca in January had destabilised the team.

The Spain international, who joined in 2022, also appeared to question on the club’s recruitment policy, saying: “I understand this is part of the club’s policy and that they want to take this direction – signing young players and looking to the future.

“But, for all of us who want to win big things, moments like this (the 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG) make you feel discouraged.”

Asked about action that might be taken against Cucurella, Rosenior said: “I had a fantastic conversation with Marc yesterday, half-an-hour in my office.

“My disappointment in Marc’s interview was where it went to. I think he should’ve spoken to us first about how he was feeling.

“I want players to know they can speak openly and honestly for the benefit of the football club. As a football club, we know we need to improve.”