On Sunday, Chelsea faces a crucial match in its fight for a Champions League spot. Coach Liam Rosenior took the opportunity to deny certain rumors that would theoretically alter his starting lineup.
Liam Rosenior flatly denied claims that Chelsea players asked him to shorten Enzo Fernandez’s two-match internal suspension so the midfielder could face Manchester City on Sunday.
“That is not true. It is not true. No one,” Rosenior responded bluntly when asked whether any players had campaigned on behalf of Fernandez.
The Argentina international remains unavailable for the crucial Premier League match that Chelsea will play at home against Manchester City, after having received a two-match internal suspension last week.
The sanction is due to comments Fernandez made during the international break, in which he publicly expressed his admiration for the city of Madrid, a statement that has fueled fresh and persistent speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid.
Enzo Fernandez apologized to both Rosenior and the club, and his agent, Javier Pastore, suggested this week that the matter had been resolved and expressed his sincere hope that the sanction would be reduced to just one match.
However, the coach confirmed that the club is firmly maintaining its original decision. “I had three or four conversations with Enzo,” Rosenior said. “He has apologized to me, he has apologized to the club, and we will sort it out properly after the very important match on Sunday.”
Rosenior insisted that the sanction was non-negotiable and reiterated that he had made the decision alone. He added that he still truly believes in Fernandez’s long-term potential at Chelsea. “I am not questioning Enzo’s character or who he is as a person.”
“We have imposed a sanction, we have made a decision — I made a decision — and what I want for Enzo is for him to come here and have an exceptional career with us.”
Therefore, the Argentine will miss the important match on Sunday, as Chelsea, which currently occupies sixth place in the Premier League — just one point behind fifth-place Liverpool — looks to strengthen its intense fight for Champions League qualification.
Rosenior added that there are still “some obstacles” the midfielder must overcome before he can fully reintegrate into the squad, but he hopes Fernandez will become “a fundamental piece of the group looking ahead” after this weekend.
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