Chelsea: Liam Rosenior makes Enzo Fernandez suspension admission after Man City drubbing | OneFootball

Vice-captain completed two-match suspension on Sunday as Blues were picked apart by title hopefuls

Liam Rosenior has admitted Chelsea may have played better against Manchester City if Enzo Fernandez had featured.

“He will be back with the group on Tuesday,” Rosenior said. “He is a top, top player and a really good guy. Really looking forward to having him back.

Benched: Enzo Fernandez has now served a two-game suspension imposed by Chelsea for comments made regarding his future

John Walton/PA Wire

“The hurdle I spoke about, Enzo wanted to have a conversation with the leadership group — the main players of the group — and speak to the players. The time I had the press conference [on Friday], he hadn't done that yet.

“He has spoken with me, the leadership group and all of the players and we look forward to welcoming him back.”

Asked whether Fernandez might have helped Chelsea in a game they eventually lost by three goals, Rosenior replied: “Possibly. Possibly. In hindsight, you see [with] 20-20 [vision]. Enzo's a top player and honestly he's a top character and I'm looking forward to having him back next week.

“Sometimes you make decisions not based on the short-term, you make decisions based on what you want to see long-term. And it was a long-term decision that myself and the directors and the club aligned, and the leadership group of players, that we made to make sure that our values and our culture in the long-term is in the right place.

“But Enzo has had the conversations he's needed to have. He's been fantastic in the last few days in supporting myself and the team and I can't wait to have him back in the squad.”