What did Enzo Fernandez say? Full particulars on what number of video games Chelsea midfielder will miss, contract and stats amid Actual Madrid switch hyperlinks

Chelsea vice-captain Enzo Fernandez has been dropped for 2 matches following feedback the midfielder made about his future on the membership that have been described as “not preferrred” by head coach Liam Rosenior.

The 25-year-old, who arrived for a then-British document £107 million price from Benfica in January 2023, continues to be linked with Actual Madrid.

Responding to Fernandez’s remarks and an interview by full-back Marc Cucurella saying the squad had been “discouraged” by a heavy defeat to Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League final 16, Rosenior known as upon his gamers to point out extra collective “emotional stability”.

What did World Cup winner Fernandez say? Which fixtures will he miss and when may he return? Right here’s what we all know in regards to the saga.

What did Enzo Fernandez do? Actual Madrid ‘similarity’

“I actually like Madrid as a result of it’s similar to Buenos Aires,” Fernandez instructed Argentinian TV present Nadie Cube Nada within the interview that led to what Rosenior known as a “sanction”. “The meals, the whole lot.”

Rosenior stated it was “disappointing for Enzo to talk that method” after Fernandez had spent months being requested about hypothesis that 15-time European champions Madrid wish to signal him.

“I’ve bought no dangerous phrases to say about him however a line was crossed by way of our tradition and what we wish to construct,” he defined.

“As a personality, an individual and a participant, I’ve the utmost respect. He’s pissed off as a result of he needs us to achieve success.

“When it comes to the choice, it’s not all about me or the sporting administrators. The possession, the gamers – we’re aligned in our determination.

“The door isn’t closed on Enzo. It’s a must to defend the tradition and, by way of that, a line was crossed.”

Will Enzo Fernandez depart Chelsea?

Fernandez stated in March that the tip of former head coach Enzo Maresca’s 18-month reign in January had “damage” Chelsea.

Amongst wide-ranging feedback showing to cricitise the membership, Spain worldwide Cucurella, who prolonged his contract in 2025, instructed The Athletic on March 31 that the squad was inexperienced and Maresca’s exit had prompted a “massive affect on us.”

Talking after Chelsea’s Champions League exit, Fernandez acknowledged that he didn’t know whether or not he can be at Stamford Bridge subsequent season.

“There are nonetheless a couple of months left within the season,” Fernandez instructed Ole when he was requested whether or not there had been curiosity from Actual Madrid.

“Truthfully, nothing – zero talks. Proper now, we’re centered on Chelsea, on the remaining matches, and we’ll see after the World Cup.”

Rossenior – Maresca’s successor – reacted to these feedback by declaring that Fernandez is likely one of the captains on the membership, claiming that he had “made it actually clear how comfortable he’s” and “how passionate he’s for us to achieve success” throughout a chat the day earlier than a 3-0 defeat at Everton on March 21.

“I had a fantastic dialog with Enzo at size earlier than coaching – not nearly his feedback, however how he’s feeling, how as a group we will enhance,” Rosenior stated on the time.

“He additionally [made his comments] in translation and in emotion. Issues get misconstrued. For me, he’s absolutely dedicated to this group and to profitable right here at this soccer membership.”

Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior insists Enzo Fernandez is ‘absolutely dedicated’ to the membership, after the midfielder stated he did not know if he can be there subsequent season👀💪 pic.twitter.com/pMN205XgvK

— Hayters TV (@HaytersTV) March 19, 2026

Fernandez performed all through the loss at Everton, which condemned Chelsea to a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Premier League managerial rookie Rosenior received six of his first seven matches in cost in all competitions however has misplaced seven out of 13 since then.

“Numerous this stems from a troublesome 10 days by way of outcomes we have now had – in all probability essentially the most troublesome for me as a participant or supervisor,” he stated of Fernandez and Cucurella’s newest interviews.

“The gamers have been motivated that we may do one thing actually particular within the Champions League.

“The feedback from Enzo and Marc Cucurella’s interview each stem from that. It truly stems from a very good place the place they need the membership to succeed.

“However in these moments, we’d like extra emotional stability as a bunch of gamers.”

The gamers’ futures could also be affected if Chelsea fail to qualify for subsequent season’s Champions League, with fifth place doubtless to make sure participation within the competitors.

Chelsea sealed Champions League qualification on the ultimate day of final season.

Which Chelsea matches will Enzo Fernandez miss?

The punishment from Chelsea dominated Fernandez out of their residence FA Cup quarter-final towards third-tier strugglers Port Vale and go to from second-placed Manchester Metropolis within the Premier League.

When is Enzo Fernandez’s subsequent sport for Chelsea?

Manchester United – who joined Metropolis in being one of many groups above Chelsea within the desk on the time Fernandez acquired his punishment – may very well be the subsequent group he faces.

Listed here are Chelsea’s remaining scheduled fixtures this season after Fernandez’s sanction ends. Ought to they beat Port Vale, they are going to be within the FA Cup semi-finals on the weekend of April 25 and their match at Brighton & Hove Albion can be rescheduled.

The FA Cup last takes place on Could 16.

Enzo Fernandez contract: Chelsea may face ‘agitation’

Fernandez is beneath contract till 2032 and the Guardian has advised he needs an improved deal on the membership.

“There isn’t a time strain on Chelsea to present him one, however that won’t essentially cease the participant from agitating,” added the outlet.

When Fernandez prolonged his contract in 2024, the Customary cited paperwork placing his weekly wage at £180,000.

After becoming a member of Chelsea, Fernandez known as the transfer “a dream come true” and voiced remorse over the best way he had left Benfica.

The Portuguese membership’s president, Rui Costa, stated Fernandez had made it “very clear that he wasn’t dedicated” to The Eagles within the build-up to the transfer.

“At any time when Chelsea approached the worth of [his release] clause, there was nearly no probability to change his thoughts,” Rui Costa instructed Report, through ESPN. “He was very incisive in wanting to depart Benfica.”

Enzo Fernandez stats

Fernandez has made 30 appearances for Chelsea this season, beginning 29 instances and enjoying for two,583 minutes.

He has the second-most touches of any participant of their squad, with 2,153, and has made 17 interceptions, in addition to profitable 21 of 48 tackles.

Of his 1,677 passes, Fernandez has provided three assists, 48 key passes and 10 crosses, precisely discovering a teammate 86% of the time.

An 89% short-passing accuracy is 2% beneath the group common, however Fernandez is 13% above Chelsea’s common accuracy for lengthy passes, recording 58%. He has additionally been booked eight instances.

Right here’s a have a look at his targets document in 2025/26 on the time of his sanction.

Did Enzo Fernandez play in Argentina’s World Cup build-up friendlies?

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni began Fernandez in his facet’s two warm-up matches at Buenos Aires’s La Bombonera in March.

The 2022 World Cup winner and 2024 Copa America champion along with his nation scored the opener in a 2-1 win over Mauritania and was a part of a 5-0 victory over Zambia, making method in the course of the second half of each matches.

Argentina had been set to face Spain within the Finalissima in Qatar on March 27 earlier than the sport was known as off due to the battle within the Center East, with the newly scheduled video games permitting Fernandez a shock return to his homeland.

“I’m going to take pleasure in being right here with my teammates and play the friendlies,” stated Fernandez when he arrived in Argentina.

“Now it’s time to take pleasure in being right here with the nationwide group and with my household. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been again.

“I actually missed being right here, coming again to be with the folks, my household, and having fun with this second to the fullest.

“I see [first club River Plate] doing nicely, with contract renewals. I at all times want them the most effective.”