‘things Aren’t What People Think They Are’: Rosenior Attempts To Calm Fernández Storm

Liam Rosenior has insisted he is successful a “very bully place” pinch Enzo Fernández arsenic he looked to move connected from nan contention of nan Chelsea vice-captain’s comments during nan world window.

Fernández appeared to formed doubt connected his Chelsea early erstwhile he talked glowingly astir nan erstwhile Real Madrid midfielders Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić, and mentioned Madrid arsenic nan European metropolis successful which he would astir for illustration to live.

Fernández, who has been linked pinch a transportation to Real Madrid, had said aft Chelsea’s conclusion against Paris Saint-Germain successful nan Champions League past 16 second-leg connected 17 March that he would spot astir his Chelsea early aft nan World Cup successful nan summer.

Rosenior took nan determination to suspend Fernández from Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale, which his squad won 7-0, and nan Premier League crippled against Manchester City adjacent Sunday, emotion his latest comments had “crossed nan line” and threatened nan civilization he is moving to instil. But nan Chelsea head was pleased that Fernández was coming astatine Stamford Bridge to watch nan Vale lucifer and he sought to tie a statement nether nan affair.

Enzo Fernández and Marc Cucurella some called their Chelsea futures into mobility complete nan world break – Fernández was suspended, Cucurella an unused substitute. Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC/Getty Images

“In nan correct time, successful nan correct moment, which isn’t now, going done what we’ve gone through, I’m judge nan chat will hap successful position of what’s been said betwixt maine and Enzo,” Rosenior said. “Enzo and I are successful a very bully place. I saw him today, had a really bully speech pinch him coming one-to-one and things aren’t what group possibly deliberation they are.

“I said connected Friday…the conversations I person pinch my individual players, pinch Enzo, pinch anyone successful nan squad erstwhile it comes to things for illustration this, enactment within. The dressing room is sacred. I made it really clear connected Friday what I deliberation of him arsenic a person. He’s a top, apical guy. But astatine nan aforesaid time, I want america now to attraction connected nan shot and execute what we want to execute done nan season.”

Rosenior’s determination to punish Fernández drew an unhappy consequence from nan player’s agent. Javier Pastore said it was “completely unfair” and Fernández had not intended to disrespect Chelsea.

“That’s his opinion,” Rosenior said of Pastore. “I don’t person thing to opportunity connected personification else’s opinion. Enzo knows what I deliberation of him and it was superb to spot him present to support nan players. We’ll move guardant and make judge we person a really bully run-in successful nan season.”

Rosenior, who reported that nan winger Jamie Gittens had suffered different hamstring wounded successful training connected Friday, was delighted pinch nan exertion and strength of his players against Vale. “I’ve sewage a group of players who still believe, arsenic I do, we tin person an outstanding play successful position of winning an FA Cup, successful position of qualifying for a Champions League,” he said.