Why is Enzo Fernandez not playing for Chelsea vs. Man City?
Chelsea will continue its push for a Champions League spot without midfielder Enzo Fernández against title contender Manchester City. The 25-year-old has been omitted from the squad since the international break due to his comments about a potential move to Real Madrid. During the international break, the 2022 World Cup winner hinted he would like to live in Spain, particularly Madrid.
This came after the midfielder expressed doubts about his future at Stamford Bridge after the side's elimination from the Champions League against PSG. While Fernández has apologized for his comments, manager Liam Rosenior said that the club will not overturn its internal two-match suspension for the Argentinian, despite the gravity of the upcoming home match. "I've had three or four really good conversations with Enzo," Rosenior said in a press conference this week.
"He's apologized to me, he's apologized to the club. We'll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday. "It was a serious meeting about something very serious.
Every single step along this way, I'm not questioning Enzo's character, him as a person. I believe people make mistakes. But you can't overstep the punishment for a mistake.
"What I want for Enzo is to go on from here to have an outstanding career. " Despite the club being without its star midfielder for this vital match, Rosenior stated his belief that he has an "outstanding" squad capable of earning three points. Rosenior also denied reports that some Chelsea players approached him to end Fernández's suspension early.