Rosenior Upholds Fernandez Ban for Man City Clash Despite Argentine’s Apology

Liam Rosenior upholds Enzo Fernandez’s two-match ban for Manchester City clash. The midfielder apologized for Madrid comments but remains sidelined.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 9:34 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from BBC Sport

Upholding Club Discipline

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez will serve the final game of a two-match internal suspension during Sunday’s high-stakes fixture against Manchester City. The 25-year-old midfielder was disciplined last week following a controversial interview in which he spoke favorably about the city of Madrid, a move widely interpreted by the club as courting interest from Real Madrid. Despite a series of private conversations and a formal apology from the player, Rosenior insisted that the sanction must be completed to uphold the squad’s values. The manager emphasized that while he does not question Fernandez’s character, the decision was necessary to maintain order during a critical juncture of the season.

Agent Efforts Fail to Reduce Ban

The midfielder’s agent, former Argentina international Javier Pastore, reportedly spent the week attempting to negotiate a reduction of the ban. Pastore claimed that "the air had been cleared" following Fernandez's absence from Chelsea's recent 7-0 FA Cup victory over Port Vale. However, the club’s hierarchy remained firm in their original punishment. Pastore noted that the player is focused on reaching "top shape" for the 2026 World Cup and argued that there is "no conflict whatsoever," citing the six years remaining on Fernandez’s contract. Despite these diplomatic overtures, Rosenior made it clear that the player would not be integrated back into the matchday squad until the "hurdles" related to the incident are fully cleared.

A Crucial Run for European Qualification

The suspension of a key midfield figure comes at a difficult time for the Blues, who currently sit sixth in the Premier League. Chelsea is currently locked in a fierce battle for the final Champions League qualification spot, trailing fifth-placed Liverpool by a single point with seven games remaining. Rosenior dismissed suggestions that he was "shooting himself in the foot" by benching his most expensive player for a game against the reigning champions. He stated that the collective focus of the group must remain on their "huge run" toward the end of the campaign, rather than on individual distractions.