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Chelsea suspend Enzo Fernández after explosive interview
03rd April, 2026 03:15 PM
Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez will not feature against Port Vale and Manchester City following comments made by the midfielder during the international break.
The Blues are preparing for Saturday, April 3, 2026, FA Cup quarter-final against the League One side at Stamford Bridge, a clash that the Argentine will now miss, along with next weekend’s Premier League trip against City.
Decision made
“I spoke with Enzo an hour ago,’ Rosenior said. “As a football club, and with me as part of that process, we’ve made a decision: he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game, and he won’t be available for Manchester City next Sunday,” he said, as quoted by the club portal.
Explaining further on his decision, the coach said the player, who has made 46 appearances for the Blues this season and regularly captained the side, crossed one of the club’s cultures, and the sanction has to be taken.
He, however, maintained that the door remains open for his comeback after serving his suspension.
Door open
“In terms of the decision, and I’ve said this from day one – it’s not all about just me, it’s not all about the sporting directors, the ownership, or the players. We are aligned in every decision that we make. It was a joint decision,” the coach elaborated.
“Saying that, the door is not closed on Enzo. That’s very important. It’s a sanction because at this football club, which is a winning football club with traditions of success, you have to protect that culture. I think in terms of that, the line was crossed in the international break.”
New captain
With Chelsea skipper Reece James also sidelined, Rosenior reiterated that several leaders within the group could turn to and that a decision would be made when he selects his starting XI.
‘We’ve got many leaders,’ said Rosenior. ‘Moises Caicedo is in our leadership group. Tosin, too. We’ve got Cole Palmer, we’ve got Joao Pedro. We’ve got Marc Cucurella. We’ve got leaders in the group.
‘So I’ll make that decision later on today when I name the team, and you’ll see who’s captain tomorrow,’ he added.
Enzo’s club-imposed suspension emanates from comments the 25-year-old midfielder made during the March international break regarding his future at the club.
Asked by ESPN if he would be with the club next season, the 25-year-old said, “I don’t know; there are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.
Lost control
“I think we failed to control the game. In the first leg, we lost focus in the final 15 minutes and conceded three goals, and here it happened at the very start,” added Fernandez, who captained the side in Reece James’ absence.
