Fernandez and Agent Offer Apology to Chelsea Over Comments About Future Plans

Enzo Fernandez and his representative have issued an apology to Chelsea following remarks made during his time with the Argentine national team. In interviews, Fernandez expressed his willingness to reside in Madrid, hinting at a potential move to Real Madrid in the summer. Despite this, no discussions regarding his sale have taken place, and he remains under contract with Chelsea until 2032. As a consequence of these statements, Chelsea's head coach, Liam Rosenior, announced that Fernandez would be excluded from the squad for two matches, including the recent 7-0 victory over Port Vale and the upcoming game against Manchester City. Real Madrid is seeking to sign a midfielder in the summer, with Fernandez being one of their targets, valued at over £100m. However, Chelsea has no intention of selling him. Fernandez is among the players seeking improved contract terms with Chelsea, but his recent comments may have hindered his cause. He has been consistently linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, particularly after casting doubt over his Chelsea future following their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Fernandez stated, 'I don't know' when asked if he would still be at Chelsea next season, adding that his focus is currently on the club and the upcoming World Cup. During his time with Argentina, Fernandez mentioned that he likes Madrid, comparing it to Buenos Aires, and expressed his willingness to live there. When questioned about considering a move to Madrid, he replied, 'Yes, of course.' Rosenior addressed Fernandez's punishment, stating that 'a line was crossed' in terms of the team's culture, necessitating a sanction. Fernandez's agent, Javier Pastore, deemed the decision to drop him for two games 'completely unfair,' arguing that Fernandez did not mention any club or express a desire to leave Chelsea. Pastore revealed that contract renewal discussions have stalled, with the parties unable to reach an agreement. He emphasized that Fernandez deserves more than his current earnings, given his capabilities, and that they plan to meet with Chelsea again after the World Cup to explore options. Rosenior has since commented on the situation, stating that he and Fernandez are in a good place and that things are not as they seem. He also addressed Pastore's comments, saying that he does not have anything to say about someone else's opinion.