Enzo Fernandez to return to Chelsea squad for Manchester United game – Rosenior

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernandez will return to the squad for their next game against Manchester United after serving a two-match club ban.

Fernandez sat out the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, as well as the 7-0 victory over Port Vale in the FA Cup last weekend, as a punishment for his behaviour in recent weeks.

The Argentina midfielder was sanctioned for suggesting he wanted a move to Real Madrid, as well as criticising the decision to part ways with head coach Enzo Maresca in January.

Rosenior revealed in his pre-match press conference on Friday that there were still things that needed to be resolved with the player.

But speaking after Chelsea’s home loss to City, Rosenior said: “Enzo’s a top player and honestly he’s a top character and I’m looking forward to having him back next week.

“Sometimes you make decisions not based on the short-term, you make decisions based on what you want to see long-term. And it was a long-term decision that myself and the directors and the club aligned and the leadership group of players that we made to make sure that our values and our culture in the long-term is in the right place.

“But Enzo has had the conversations he’s needed to have. He’s been fantastic in the last few days in supporting myself and the team and I can’t wait to have him back in the squad.”

Fernandez attended both matches he missed and supported his Chelsea teammates from the dug-out at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Fernandez’s agent, Javier Pastore, described Rosenior’s decision to drop his client as “completely unfair” and says his comments during the international break were not intended to disrespect the club.

“The punishment is completely unfair,” Pastore told The Athletic. “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.”

Asked if he had any regrets about not having Fernandez available to face Pep Guardiola’s side, a result which leaves Chelsea in sixth but just four points above 12th-placed Fulham, Rosenior added: “Possibly. You see 20-20 in hindsight.”