Fernandez Apologizes but Will Not Play Against Man City, Says Rosenior

Chelsea Midfielder’s Absence Confirmed

Chelsea’s midfielder Enzo Fernandez will not be present for the upcoming home match against Manchester City, despite expressing regret over his previous remarks, as announced by head coach Liam Rosenior.

Fernandez faced a temporary internal suspension from the club after he made comments during the international break praising Madrid, which led to speculation about his interest in joining Real Madrid. This incident occurred just as the Argentine joined Chelsea from Benfica earlier in 2023.

Internal Review and Apology

Following the internal ban that sidelined him during last week’s significant 7-0 victory against Port Vale in the FA Cup, Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, revealed efforts to smooth things over with Chelsea, including discussions aiming to reduce the ban to just one game.

Nonetheless, Rosenior reiterated that Fernandez would miss the Premier League clash against Manchester City on Sunday, maintaining the club’s stance on the original decision made regarding the player’s suspension.

“I had several discussions with Enzo,” said Rosenior. “He’s let me know he’s sorry and has shown remorse to the club. We will address the situation after this important match on Sunday.”

Coach’s Perspective on Fernandez’s Future

Rosenior emphasized the seriousness of the situation but also expressed confidence in Fernandez’s potential to become an integral part of the squad moving forward. “We had a serious discussion on a significant matter. I’m not questioning Enzo’s character. We’ve reached a decision, and I want him to thrive in his career,” he added.

Chelsea currently sits sixth in the Premier League, just one point behind Liverpool, which holds the final Champions League qualification slot. Rosenior clarified that the decision to keep Fernandez out of the lineup is not detrimental to the team’s performance as they strive for consistency.

“While he won’t be available on Sunday, we hope he becomes a key player for us soon,” added the manager. “There are still some issues that need resolution, which I won’t delve into right now.”

Player Availability Update

In addition to Fernandez, Rosenior confirmed that teammates Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, and Levi Colwill will also be absent from the match against Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Chelsea fans anticipate updates on these players’ conditions leading into their next fixtures.