Enzo Fernandez was seen watching Chelsea’s FA Cup tie from the stands after the Argentine began a club imposed two-match suspension.
Fernandez was sanctioned by the club over comments during the international break, in which he appeared to advocate for a move to Real Madrid.
The 25-year-old, who is Chelsea’s vice-captain, appeared in good spirits as he was seen laughing with Marc Cucurella behind the bench.
Cucurella began the FA Cup quarter-final from the bench, with the Spaniard having avoided a sanction for an interview he gave during the international break.
Cucurella had seemingly criticised Chelsea’s transfer strategy and the former manager Enzo Maresca’s departure from the club.
Fernandez and Cucurella watched on as Chelsea made the perfect start at Stamford Bridge, with Jorrel Hato giving the Blues a second-minute lead.
Enzo Fernandez, left, began a club imposed two-match ban as Chelsea hosted Port Vale
The Chelsea vice-captain appeared in good spirits as he sat behind the Chelsea bench
Explaining Fernandez’s suspension on Friday, head coach Liam Rosenior said: ‘As a football club, with me as part of that process, we’ve made a decision.’
‘He won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and he won’t be available for Manchester City on Sunday. For Enzo, it’s disappointing to speak in that way.
‘What I will say about Enzo is in terms of him as a character, as a person, I’ve got no bad words to say about him,’ his manager continued. ‘But I think a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. So we had to make a sanction and that was a decision we’ve made.
‘As a character, as a person, as a player, I have the utmost respect for Enzo Fernandez. What he’s achieved in his career, the player that he is, he’s frustrated because he wanted Chelsea Football Club to be successful this year.
‘He still wants that and we still count him. In terms of the decision, I’ve said this from day one, it’s not all about just me. It’s not all about the sporting directors or the ownership or the players.
‘We are aligned in every decision that we make. So it was a joint decision. I’m saying that the door is not closed on Enzo. That’s very important. It’s a sanction.
‘You have to protect, especially this football club, it’s a winning football club with traditions of success. You have to protect that culture. I think in terms of that, the line was crossed in the international break.’
Addressing Cucurella’s comments, Rosenior added: ‘I had a fantastic conversation with Marc yesterday, half an hour in my office.
Enzo Fernandez has been sidelined for comments made during the international break about his future which ‘crossed the line’
‘I want players, I’ve said to them from day one, if they’ve got any issue with how we do things, to come and speak to me and speak to sporting directors.
‘My disappointment in Marc’s interview is where it went to. I think he should have spoken to us first about the things that he’s feeling. I want players to feel like they can speak openly and honestly for the benefit of the football club. Those conversations we’ve had with Reece James, that’s why Reece has signed a new contract, because he believes in where we’re going.
‘As a football club, we know we need to improve, myself included. We actually know what we’re going to do in the summer to achieve those objectives.
‘Everybody knows Marc Cucurella, knows his character. He’s a great character, he’s passionate, he wants to do well. He did a long interview where he spoke with passion, he spoke his mind.
‘Yesterday, when I was in the office with him for half an hour, I wanted to remind him “you can come and speak to me, you can be honest with me and you can be honest with the club about what you want.” That takes time.
‘I’ve been here for two-and-a-half months. We’ve played 20 games. So to build those relationships and those connections takes time. But Marc is fully committed, he wants to be here. He’s made that very, very clear to me. And he actually believes in where we’re moving forward.’
Fernandez’s agent Javier Pastore defended his client on Friday, after news of his suspension was announced.
Pastore told the Athletic: ‘The punishment is completely unfair — banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team’s most important players.
‘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.’
Pastore also insisted the interview was blown out of proportion and said: ‘We don’t understand the punishment because he doesn’t mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it; he only mentions Madrid, the city, because he was asked which European city he’d like to live in one day.’
