Overview
- Chelsea, which announced the move Friday, ruled Enzo Fernández out against Port Vale in the FA Cup and Manchester City after saying a cultural line had been crossed.
- The exclusion followed interviews in which Fernández said he would like to live in Madrid and expressed uncertainty about his post‑World Cup plans, comments that fueled talk of Real Madrid interest.
- Agent Javier Pastore called the two‑match punishment “totally unjust” and said extension talks that began in December or January stalled, noting the deal runs to 2032 and that options could be revisited after the World Cup.
- Following Saturday’s 7–0 cup win, Rosenior declined to engage with Pastore’s claims, said private talks would stay private, praised Fernández for backing teammates from the stands, and reiterated there is no split in the squad.
- Rosenior has reprimanded Marc Cucurella over media remarks while keeping him available, and he signaled a summer focus on more emotionally resilient players as comments by others, including Moisés Caicedo, draw fresh scrutiny.