Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been ruled out of the club’s next two fixtures after head coach Liam Rosenior confirmed the Argentina international was sanctioned for recent public comments about his future at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez will miss Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the Premier League home match against Manchester City on April 12.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Rosenior said he had spoken to the 25-year-old earlier in the day.

“As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday,” Rosenior said.

“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I’ve got no bad words to say about him, but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

The comments in question came during the recent international break, when Fernandez expressed uncertainty about his long-term future at Chelsea and spoke positively about Madrid as a city he would like to live in one day remarks widely interpreted as fuelling speculation of interest from Real Madrid.

Fernandez, who joined Chelsea from Benfica in 2023 for a then-British record fee of around £107 million, remains under contract until 2032 and serves as the club’s vice-captain.

Rosenior stressed the decision was made collectively by the club to protect team standards, while leaving the door open for Fernandez’s return after the two-match absence.

Chelsea head into the FA Cup tie against League One side Port Vale looking to keep alive their main chance of silverware this season, with the Premier League top-four race also ongoing.