Enzo Fernandez has been punished by Chelsea after "crossing a line" according to manager Liam Rosenior.
Fernandez has returned to Chelsea following the international break but will not play any part in their next two fixtures after comments he made about his future.
The former Benfica midfielder, who is Chelsea's record signing, gave an interview with ESPN Argentina when he was asked whether he would still be at Chelsea next season.
He replied: "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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Linked with Real Madrid, he said on a Twitch stream that living in the Spanish capital would be his ideal place to live if he left London.
Rosenior took issue with the remarks and has dropped him from upcoming games against Port Vale and Manchester City.
Rosenior explained: "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.”
He 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.”
More to follow...
Topics: Enzo Fernandez, Chelsea
Josh Lawless