Liam Rosenior provides explanation after dropping Enzo Fernandez for Chelsea’s next two matches

The Blues' midfielder will miss his club's game against Man City.

The Blues face Port Vale in the FA Cup at 17.15pm on Saturday — the club's last realistic shot at winning a trophy this season — before a Premier League clash against Man City next weekend, vital matches from which Fernandez will now be absent.

Speaking to press ahead of Chelsea's upcoming FA cup game, Rosenior laid out exactly why the decision had been made.

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Speaking to Sky Sports, the Blues boss said: "I spoke with Enzo an hour ago. We've made a decision - he won't be available for tomorrow's game and he won't be available for Manchester City.

"It's disappointing to speak in that way. What I will say about Enzo is that, in terms of him as a person, I've got no bad words to say.

"But a line was crossed in terms of our culture. We had to make a sanction."

The decision comes amidst growing transfer rumours connecting the Argentine with a move to Real Madrid this summer.

On two occasions over the past month, Fernandez has failed to dismiss suggestions he could leave.

When asked about Real Madrid by ESPN Argentina, Fernandez simply said: "I don't know," before adding: "My focus is here now. Then the World Cup coming up, so we'll see after that."

He then later told Marcos Giles, an Argentine media personality, "I really like Madrid - it's similar to Buenos Aires".

Rosenior ended his discussion of Fernandez's situation by adding: "Firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez for what he's achieved in his career.

"He's frustrated because he wanted Chelsea to be successful this year. He still wants that, and we still can be.

"In terms of the decision, we are aligned in every decision that we make, so it was a joint decision.

"The door is not closed on Enzo - that's very important. It's a sanction. You have to protect this club and culture, and in terms of that, the line was crossed in the international break."