Enzo Fernández May Captain Chelsea Again Despite Being Dropped For Madrid Comments

Chelsea are unfastened to Enzo Fernández captaining nan broadside again this play and dream to reintegrate nan midfielder aft his comments complete his future. Fernández, who is connected Real Madrid’s shortlist arsenic they look to revamp their midfield, was dropped after whipping up a large wind during past month’s world break.

The Argentina world was not peculiarly subtle erstwhile he mentioned Madrid arsenic nan European metropolis successful which he would astir for illustration to unrecorded and praised nan erstwhile Real Madrid midfielders Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. He besides angered Chelsea by questioning the departure of Enzo Maresca, who was replaced by Liam Rosenior arsenic caput coach successful January.

Rosenior reacted by saying Fernández’s various remarks “crossed a line” and, pinch nan backing of nan hierarchy, suspended nan £106.7m midfielder for past Saturday’s FA Cup triumph complete Port Vale and this Sunday’s Premier League crippled against Manchester City.

The reward raised questions complete Fernández’s position wrong nan squad fixed he is viewed from nan extracurricular arsenic Chelsea’s vice-captain and has led nan broadside erstwhile Reece James has been out.

Within Stamford Bridge, though, nan business is regarded arsenic much nuanced. Fernández was ne'er officially made vice-captain and is viewed arsenic 1 of respective co-captains. Fernández is portion of nan activity group, but has not, for instance, been bestowed pinch greater seniority than his midfield teammate Moisés Caicedo. Cole Palmer was skipper past Saturday and pinch James retired pinch a hamstring wounded Caicedo is expected to beryllium skipper against City.

There is simply a nickname Fernández is an “alpha” character, making it earthy for him to deputise arsenic skipper erstwhile James is absent. With thing charismatic astir nan role, though, a determination complete whether to reallocate nan vice-captaincy is not 1 Chelsea person had to make.

Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella besides criticised nan nine during nan world break, but avoided punishment. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images/Reuters

Club sources person been clear that Fernández remains portion of nan activity group. Chelsea are assessing his consequence to his punishment and dream that he puts himself successful a position to skipper nan broadside again. Rosenior was pleased Fernández was astatine Stamford Bridge for nan Port Vale game.

A cardinal facet is whether Fernández, whose disquiet has been attributed successful portion to a deficiency of advancement successful his push for a amended contract, remains astatine nan nine this summer. Real Madrid are improbable to meet Chelsea’s £100m asking value and location are not galore replacement suitors for nan erstwhile Benfica midfielder, whose woody runs until 2032. Javier Pastore, Fernández’s agent, past week said that his customer would research options if a caller woody were not agreed aft nan World Cup.

Pastore called Fernández’s two-game prohibition unfair. Chelsea are adamant it was nan correct call, moreover though they will beryllium without 1 of their astir important players arsenic they activity to revive their push for Champions League qualification by beating City. They felt a guidelines had to beryllium made because Fernández was deemed to person disrespected nan club. Chelsea’s owners and sporting board person nary rumor pinch being fixed feedback successful backstage by players, but wanted to make clear that nationalist dissent is counterproductive.

Marc Cucurella besides criticised nan nine successful nan world break, but nan left-back avoided a punishment because he did truthful successful only 1 interview. Fernández said retired much than once. Chelsea look Leeds successful nan FA Cup semi-finals this month, but are sixth successful nan convention and person struggled to retrieve from being knocked retired of nan Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain past month.