Another Chelsea star leaves door open to Real Madrid amid Enzo Fernandez punishment

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Evening Standard

·3 April 2026

Another Chelsea star leaves door open to Real Madrid amid Enzo Fernandez punishment

Fernandez has been dropped for Blues’ next two matches after Liam Rosenior said comments “crossed a line”

Moises Caicedo has become the latest Chelsea player to seemingly not rule out the possibility of playing for Real Madrid in future.

Enzo Fernandez has been dropped by the club for their next two games against Port Vale and Manchester City after his recent comments during the international break casting doubt on his Stamford Bridge future and revealing a desire to live in Madrid, were he to leave London.

Blues head coach Liam Rosenior said earlier on Friday at a press conference held before Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final tie that his vice-captain - rumoured to be a strong transfer target for Real Madrid - had “crossed a line” as he confirmed his sanction, which was subsequently slammed as being “completely unfair” by Fernandez’s agent Javier Pastore in a bombshell interview released later the same day.

The Argentine’s midfield colleague Caicedo recently earned the adulation of Chelsea fans with regards to his own response concerning links to Real Madrid, telling El Chiringuito TV last month: "I'm focused on my club right now. I have a contract with my club, and I want to do well.

“I want to be a legend, God willing. And well, that's all for now.”

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However, while Caicedo has again reaffirmed his commitment to Chelsea, he has also left the door open to potentially joining the LaLiga giants in future during an interview conducted with Spanish outlet Diario AS during Ecuador’s recent visit to Spain for a friendly against Morocco.

Asked if he could ever see himself wearing the famous white shirt of Real Madrid, Caicedo, whose current deal in west London runs until 2031 with a club option for a further year, said: “You never know in football, don't you think? I have a contract with Chelsea now.

“The truth is, I haven't honestly thought about another club, about leaving London, but well, in the end, you never know in football.

“All I want is to enjoy myself. I have a contract and I want to keep playing as long as God allows. After that, we'll see what happens.

“I have a contract, but we'll see what the future holds. Let's see what surprises await us.”

Of his lofty status at Chelsea, Caicedo, who is also part of the club’s leadership group along with Fernandez, added: “Yes, Chelsea is a great club. They've helped me a lot since I arrived. I want to repay them, to show it in every game, for as long as I'm there. And well, time will tell.”

Chelsea left-back Marc Cucurella has avoided a similar punishment to Fernandez after recently stating that it would be “difficult” to turn down a switch to Barcelona as he also questioned the exit of Rosenior’s predecessor Enzo Maresca.