Chelsea: Liam Rosenior insists relationship with Enzo Fernandes is in ‘very good condition’ despite the midfielder being dropped during transfer talks | Chelsea Football News

Liam Rosenior has insisted his relationship with Enzo Fernandes is “in very good order” despite the Chelsea midfielder being dropped.

Fernandes sat behind the Chelsea bench on Saturday as his teammates beat Port Vale 7-0 to book their place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The player was excluded from the squad after making comments about his future with Real Madrid during his international break, and will also miss next weekend’s Premier League match against Man City as a penalty.

Fernandes’ agent said the player’s treatment was “totally unfair”, but Rosenior believes outside perceptions of the Argentina international’s situation may be incorrect.

“Me and Enzo are in a very good situation,” Rosenior said. “I met him today (Saturday). I had a really good one-on-one conversation with him. Things are not what people think they are.”

Asked about comments made by Fernandes’ agent Javier Pastore, Rosseniol said: “That is his opinion. I have nothing to say about other people’s opinions.”

“Enzo knows how I feel about him and it was great to see him here today to support the players. We can move forward and have a really good run-in for the season.”

Asked whether Fernandes had apologized to Rosenior and the Chelsea players, he said: “When things like this happen, I keep my conversations with individual players to myself. The dressing room is sacred.”

“I’ve made it clear what I think of him as a person. He’s a top, top guy. But at the same time, we want to focus on football and achieve what we want to achieve throughout the season.”

“We crossed a line in terms of our culture, and we had to impose sanctions,” Rosenior said Friday of Fernandez’s punishment.

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What did Fernandes say?

Fernandes has been regularly linked with a move to Real in the summer, and after the Champions League last-16 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain he cast doubt on his future at Chelsea, telling ESPN Argentina: “I don’t know” when asked if he would remain at the club next season.

“My focus is on the here and now and the World Cup is coming up so we’ll see when it’s over,” he added.

During the international break with Argentina, Fernandes told media personality Marcos Giles: “I really like Madrid. It’s similar to Buenos Aires.”

Fernandes was then asked if he would consider living in Madrid, to which he replied: “Of course.”

Merce criticizes Fernandes’ decision to quit

Paul Merson says this in a soccer feature:

“I think Enzo sat down with him (Roseniol) and said, ‘I want to quit.’ I saw Marc Cucurella meeting with him. But I think Enzo went in and said, ‘I want to quit.’

“One of the things you have to do as a manager is never cut off your nose to disfigure your face. Leave that situation to the fans, not you.”

“If the fans are unhappy with Enzo they will let him know, but on the pitch they should let him play.

“He’s one of Chelsea’s best players. As a Chelsea fan, it’s a shame, but it’s good news for Man City.”

What is Fernandes’ contract status? Could Real sign him?

The Chelsea vice-captain’s contract runs until 2032, and the Blues would only consider an offer of more than £100m for one of their key players.

Chelsea do not consider Fernandes untouchable and are planning to sign a new midfielder this summer.

Asked on Friday whether the 25-year-old was happy at Chelsea, Rosenior said: “I can’t speak for him.

“What I know is that when he was on the pitch, even when we lost against Everton, there was no lack of dedication in his performance.

“In terms of representing him and what he wants in the future, that’s not for me to speak for.”

Real Madrid are planning to sign midfielders this summer, targeting Fernandes and Manchester City’s Rodri.

It remains to be seen whether they will spend more than £100m on Fernandes if cheaper options become available.

Chelsea signed Fernandes from Benfica three years ago for a then British record £106.8m.

He was close to former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who left the club in controversial circumstances earlier this year.

Fernandes’ agent says decision is ‘completely unfair’

Fernandes’ agent Pastore said in an interview with The Athletic that the decision was “completely unfair.”

“Enzo didn’t understand the situation. When the coach told him, he accepted it because he’s a very professional guy who always gives his all no matter where he is and respects decisions,” Pastore said.

“However, we do not understand this suspension because he has not mentioned any clubs or said he wants to leave Chelsea.

“He asked me which city in Europe he wanted to live in someday, and all he said was Madrid.

“He said Madrid because the language is similar to Buenos Aires, because it’s logical (of course Argentines would say that), and also because of the culture and climate.

“But he never said he wanted to leave Chelsea or London.”

Pastore also revealed that negotiations over a new contract have stalled, adding: “There was certainly talk of renewing the contract. We started talking around December or January, but we couldn’t reach an agreement.”

“Enzo still has six years left on his contract, but we decided not to renew it because the terms were not suitable for us or for the player. Considering Enzo’s abilities today, he is worth much more than he is currently earning.”

“We haven’t reached an agreement yet and it may be troubling for the club considering he is a very important player, but these are things that have to be managed.

“We felt it was better to leave things as they are and focus on playing well and performing well rather than renewing the player’s contract on terms that he would not be happy with…We don’t want to discuss numbers, contracts and negotiations when the timing is not right.

“Our plan after the World Cup is to meet again with Chelsea and consider other options if we cannot reach an agreement.”