Enzo Fernandez is back in Chelsea's lineup for the match against Manchester United after serving a two-game suspension for comments about Real Madrid. Manager Liam Rosenior stated that Fernandez's remarks crossed a line, leading to his temporary exclusion from the squad.
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Enzo Fernandez watched on as Chelsea lost 3-0 to Manchester City (PA)
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is available for selection for Saturday’s game against Manchester United after serving a two-game club suspension for inappropriate comments.
The Argentine was sanctioned by the club after comments in which he openly courted the interest of Real Madrid, saying he did not know whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge after the summer and telling a separate interview he would “like to live in Spain, I really like Madrid. It’s similar to Buenos Aires.”
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior said “a line was crossed” with those remarks and Fernandez was dropped from the squad.
The 25-year-old missed the 7-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals and last week’s 3-0 top-flight home defeat to Manchester City.
But Rosenior said on Thursday that Fernandez, who has been sporting the captain’s armband in the absence of regular captain Reece James, was back in the available squad for Saturday’s Premier League game at home to United.
Rosenior said: “Enzo has been with the group and has been training very, very well. So, it’s business as usual in terms of selection for the game.
“Enzo has come back to the group this week, and the group has been fantastic. In terms of his training, his application to training, Enzo has been fantastic as well.”
Rosenior also said that defender Trevoh Chalobah, who has been absent since the second leg of their quarter-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain, was “very, very close” to a return.
Enzo Fernandez was suspended for making inappropriate comments about his interest in Real Madrid and his uncertain future at Chelsea.
Enzo Fernandez is available for selection for Chelsea's upcoming match against Manchester United after serving his suspension.
Enzo Fernandez expressed a desire to live in Spain and stated he liked Madrid, which prompted Chelsea to suspend him for crossing a line with his comments.
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James, who has not played since a defeat by Newcastle a month ago, remains sidelined.
He said: “Trevoh trained today but not quite fully; it was a modified training. We'll make a decision on him, but he's very, very close. Reece is a little bit further away.”
In more positive news for the club Levi Colwill, who suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during pre-season, is back in first-team training.
He will play for the under-21 side in a friendly behind closed doors on Friday.
Rosenior added: “‘I'm hoping [we'll see Levi before the end of the season] as Levi is an outstanding player and a leader in the dressing room.
“When you have a long-term injury, to the extent of Levi’s injury, you need a long rehab period. I want to make sure he is 100 per cent right in terms of his match fitness before we consider him for our first team.”
He added that the game had not been set up specifically for Colwill’s recovery, “but it's something that we think is right for him in this moment”.