Chelsea have suspended record signing Enzo Fernandez for two matches after the midfielder questioned his future at Stamford Bridge. Manager Liam Rosenior announced the decision following Fernandez's public comments about exploring options after the World Cup.
The Argentine World Cup winner will miss Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next Sunday's Premier League match versus Manchester City. Fernandez, 25, wears the captain's armband in Reece James's absence.
Chelsea has lost four straight games, exited the Champions League after an 8-2 aggregate defeat to Paris St Germain, and sits sixth in the Premier League. Rosenior called Fernandez's comments "disappointing" given his leadership role during the club's struggles.
"A line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build, so we had to make a sanction," Rosenior said. The midfielder is contracted through 2032 and has been linked with Real Madrid despite denying talks with the Spanish club.
The Telegraph reported other Chelsea players were unimpressed by Fernandez criticizing teammates on the pitch during recent matches.