Chelsea sanction Enzo Fernandez for Real Madrid hints | OneFootball

Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez has been sanctioned by the club for hinting that he would like a move to Real Madrid this summer. The Argentina international was less than subtle with his hints that he was open to a move to Los Blancos at the end of the season.

Fernandez admitted before the international break that he was uncertain on his future after the season. Amid reports that he was frustrated with Chelsea’s lack of progress since his arrival, Fernandez went on to declare on multiple occasions that he would be keen to move to Madrid at some point.

Chelsea manager confirms Enzo Fernandez sanction

Speaking before Chelsea’s FA Cup clash with Port Vale, manager Liam Rosenior confirmed to Metro that Fernandez had been hit with an internal two-game ban by the club for his comments.

“I spoke with Enzo an hour ago. We’ve made a decision – he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and he won’t be available for Manchester City,’ Liam Rosenior confirmed in his press conference on Friday. It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

“It’s not ideal. A lot of it stemmed from a really difficult ten days, probably the most difficult ten days of my career. Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect for what he has achieved and what he is as a player. He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful.”

‘It’s not for me to speak about his future’ – Rosenior

Rosenior told the press that the 25-year-old had crossed the line, but did not make any sweeping statements about Fernandez’s continuity.

“In terms of the decision, it’s not all about me, or the sporting directors, the ownership, the players, we are aligned in every decision that we make. It was a joint decision. The door is not closed on Enzo. It’s a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed in the international break.”

“In terms of speaking for him, what he wants and his future, it’s not for me to speak about. I want to focus on a massive tomorrow where we can make an FA Cup semi-final.”

It is common knowledge that Real Madrid will look to sign a midfielder this summer, and Fernandez appears to be one of the options on the table. That said, most of the links in recent months have come from England. It is not clear whether Los Blancos are willing to put up a sufficient bid to pry him away from a contract until 2032.