Javier Pastore, the agent of Enzo Fernandez, has made some strong comments about Chelsea after the club gave his client a "completely unfair" two-match suspension.
Fernandez will miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final fixture against Port Vale, as well as next weekend's crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City, because of comments he made about his future.
In recent weeks, the Argentine midfielder has spoken publicly about his future at Stamford Bridge.
Asked whether he would still be a Chelsea player next season, Fernandez told ESPN: "I don't know. Right now I'm focused on here, then there's the World Cup, and we'll see.”
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He also flirted with the idea of joining Real Madrid, calling the Spanish capital his ideal place to live if he left London.
“I always tell my wife if you tell me to choose a city in Europe to live in, I really like Madrid because it’s very similar to Buenos Aires — the life, everything," he told Luzu TV.
Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has since taken action and, as mentioned above, Fernandez will miss the club's next two games as a result of his recent comments.
Speaking about his decision to suspend Fernandez, Rosenior said: "I spoke to Enzo an hour ago. As a football club we've made a decision. He won't be available for tomorrow's game and he won't be available for Manchester City.
“We think a line was crossed. It's not ideal. A lot of it stemmed from a really difficult ten days, probably the most difficult ten days of my career.”
Rosenior continued: “As a person and player, I have the utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez. It was a joint decision. And saying that, the door is not closed on Enzo. You have to protect that culture. And in terms of that, a line was crossed in the international break.”
Enzo Fernandez's agent speaks out after Chelsea suspension
Javier Pastore, the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder who is also the agent of Enzo Fernandez, has not held back with his assessment of the two-match suspension.
Fernandez is believed to have "accepted" the decision of the club, according to Pastore, but both of them believe the punishment is not justified.
"Enzo didn’t understand the situation," Pastore told The Athletic. "When the coach told him, he accepted it because he’s a highly professional guy who’s always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions.
"But we don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it; he only mentions Madrid, the city, because he was asked which European city he’d like to live in one day, and he said Madrid because of the language, because it’s similar to Buenos Aires and because it’s logical."
Pastore added: "It’s only natural for an Argentine to say that — and also because of the culture, the weather, but at no point does he say he wants to leave Chelsea or London."
Asked if he thinks the punishment is fair, Pastore made his feelings clear.
"The punishment is completely unfair — banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team’s most important players," he said.
"Alongside others, of course, but he has proven himself this year to be a leader and a key player, the backbone of this Chelsea side. I think it’s far too harsh given Chelsea’s current situation, and there’s no real reason or justification for why he has been banned."
Pastore also confirmed that talks have been held with Chelsea over renewing Fernandez's contract, although an agreement has yet to be reached.
If they are unable to agree on terms after the World Cup, Fernandez intends to explore his options, according to Pastore.
Thoughts on the situation? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez, Transfers
Jack Kenmare