Enzo Fernandez's representative, Javier Pastore, has strongly criticised Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior and the club's hierarchy, describing the decision to drop the Argentine midfielder as "**completely unfair**" following comments the player made about his admiration for Madrid during the international break.
Fernandez, Chelsea's vice-captain and a key figure in the squad, was ruled out of the club's next two matches — the FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the Premier League clash with Manchester City — after public remarks that manager Rosenior claimed "crossed a line" in terms of club culture.
During interviews while on duty with Argentina, the 25-year-old World Cup winner expressed a personal preference for living in Madrid, noting that the Spanish capital reminds him of Buenos Aires. He highlighted his comfort with the Spanish language and admiration for Real Madrid players like Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, without explicitly stating any desire to leave Chelsea or criticising the club.
Speaking exclusively to The Athletic, agent Javier Pastore hit back at the sanction:
> "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. 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 emphasised that Fernandez "didn't understand the situation" when informed of the decision but accepted it professionally. He added:
> "Enzo didn't mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it — he only mentions Madrid, the city... At no point does he say he wants to leave Chelsea or London."
Rosenior had earlier defended the move, stating he spoke with Fernandez and that the club needed to protect its culture and standards.
> "It's disappointing for Enzo to speak that way... A line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. We had to make a sanction."
The manager confirmed the decision was taken jointly with the club hierarchy, describing it as necessary for a "winning football club with traditions of success."
Pastore also revealed that contract talks have taken place regarding Fernandez's deal, which runs until 2032, but no agreement has been reached yet. He indicated that further discussions are expected, particularly after the 2026 World Cup, and that the player remains fully committed in the meantime.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for Chelsea, who are fighting for a top-four finish in the Premier League amid a challenging season under Rosenior. Fernandez has been a consistent performer in midfield, contributing both defensively and in attack since his high-profile arrival from Benfica.
Chelsea fans and pundits have been divided on the issue, with some supporting the club's firm stance on squad discipline and others questioning the severity of the punishment for what appeared to be relatively innocuous personal comments.
Neither Chelsea FC nor Liam Rosenior have issued further statements in response to Pastore's remarks at the time of this release.
"We don't understand the punishment" 😤
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 3, 2026
Enzo Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore has criticised Chelsea for their punishment, insisting the midfielder only mentioned Madrid as a place to live and confirms talk about his future will take place after the World Cup 💬 pic.twitter.com/1HGzQnRyJA
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