Liam Rosenior confirms Enzo Fernández will miss Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City despite apologizing, as the Blues battle for Champions League qualification.
Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernández will remain suspended for Chelsea’s match against Manchester City, despite the midfielder issuing an apology. The Blues boss insisted discipline and club values must come first ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes encounter.
Chelsea head into the fixture under pressure after back-to-back defeats to Newcastle United and Everton saw them slip to sixth place in the Premier League. They sit one point behind Liverpool and seven adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race for Champions League qualification. Rosenior acknowledged the growing pressure, with Chelsea seeking only their second league win in seven matches. The Englishman has made clear that climbing into the top four remains the priority during the final stretch of the season.
Seven huge games to go in the #PL. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/uTCGz9Wh5h
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 7, 2026
The Chelsea boss revealed he had held a productive conversation with Fernández after the Argentina international made comments about his future, including links to Real Madrid. Although the midfielder apologised to both manager and club, Rosenior confirmed he would not be included for the weekend.
Rosenior stressed that punishment must be respected and that maintaining standards within the squad is essential. He explained that the decision was made to reinforce the culture he believes will ultimately strengthen the club.
Chelsea also face additional challenges due to injuries, with Filip Jørgensen, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah and Jamie Gittens all unavailable. Rosenior indicated he would rotate his squad while still aiming to pose a significant threat to City.
The Chelsea manager also paid tribute to Pep Guardiola, acknowledging his influence on modern football. However, Rosenior emphasised that his own team must focus on showcasing their capabilities and avoid costly mistakes against the reigning champions.
Despite recent struggles, Rosenior remains confident in his side’s chances. He believes Chelsea have caused problems for every opponent in recent weeks and insists they have the quality to defeat Manchester City if they maintain concentration and convert their performances into results.
