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Why is Enzo Fernandez not playing for Chelsea vs. Man City?
TL;DR
Enzo Fernández will not play for Chelsea against Manchester City due to a two-match internal suspension following his comments about wanting to move to Real Madrid. Despite apologizing, the club has decided to uphold the suspension.
Chelsea will continue its push for a Champions League spot without midfielder Enzo Fernández against title contender Manchester City.
The 25-year-old has been omitted from the squad since the international break due to his comments about a potential move to Real Madrid.
During the international break, the 2022 World Cup winner hinted he would like to live in Spain, particularly Madrid. This came after the midfielder expressed doubts about his future at Stamford Bridge after the side's elimination from the Champions League against PSG.
While Fernández has apologized for his comments, manager Liam Rosenior said that the club will not overturn its internal two-match suspension for the Argentinian, despite the gravity of the upcoming home match.
"I've had three or four really good conversations with Enzo," Rosenior said in a press conference this week. "He's apologized to me, he's apologized to the club. We'll deal with that after a massive game on Sunday.
"It was a serious meeting about something very serious. Every single step along this way, I'm not questioning Enzo's character, him as a person. I believe people make mistakes. But you can't overstep the punishment for a mistake.
"What I want for Enzo is to go on from here to have an outstanding career."
Despite the club being without its star midfielder for this vital match, Rosenior stated his belief that he has an "outstanding" squad capable of earning three points.
West Ham United's Valentin Castellanos shoots against Chelsea.
James Milner celebrates Brighton's win against Brentford.
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope fumbles a cross leading to Ibrahima Konate scoring Liverpool's fourth goal in a 4-1 win at Anfield on Jan. 31, 2026.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers' Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (right) and Bournemouth's Lewis Cook clash at the Molineux stadium on Jan. 31, 2026. Bournemouth won the match, 2-0.
Martin Zubimendi of Arsenal heads the ball whilst under pressure from Casemiro of Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Jan. 25, 2026 in London. Manchester United won the match, 3-2.
Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa attempts to stop a goal scored by Everton's Thierno Barry at Villa Park on Jan. 18. Everton won the game, 1-0.
Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford on Jan. 17.
Fulham and Chelsea players battle for possession in front of goal at Craven Cottage on Jan. 7. Fulham won the match, 2-1.
Callum Wilson of West Ham United competes with Mateus Mane of Wolverhampton for possession of the ball at Molineux on Jan. 3. Wolves won the match, 3-0.
Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace heads the ball during the Premier League match against Fulham at Selhurst Park on Jan. 1. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Manchester City's Rayan Cherki celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Nottingham Forest on Dec. 27.
Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Newcastle on Dec. 26.
Everton's Michael Keane (left) battles with Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus for the ball during the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 20. Arsenal won the match, 1-0.
Rico Henry of Brentford shoots past Ki-Jana Hoever of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Dec. 20. Brentford won the match, 2-0.
Nico O'Reilly of Manchester City is tackled by Nathanial Clyne of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match at Selhurst Park on Dec. 14. Manchester City won the match, 3-0.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool heads the ball to score his team's second goal against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Dec. 13. Liverpool won the match, 2-0.
Yeremy Pino of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Raul Jimenez of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Dec. 7. Crystal Palace won the match, 2-1.
Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal against Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Dec. 6. Tottenham won the match, 2-0.
Emi Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Villa Park on Dec. 6.
Jack Grealish of Everton attempts to control the ball while under pressure from Nottingham Forest players at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Dec. 6. Everton won the match, 3-0.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal is challenged by Marc Cucurella of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Nov. 30. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Crystal Palace hosts Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Nov. 30. Man U won the match, 2-1.
Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 29. Newcastle won the match, 4-1.
Leandro Trossard scores Arsenal's first goal in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Nov. 23.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez makes a save against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley on Nov. 22. Chelsea won the match, 2-0.
Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest wins a header under pressure from Jayden Bogle of Leeds United at City Ground on Nov. 9. Nottingham Forest won the match, 3-1.
Michael Keane of Everton scores his team's second goal during a 2-0 win over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 8.
Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.
Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.
Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Lucas Perri of Leeds United at Amex Stadium on Nov. 1. Brighton prevailed, 3-0.
Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher comes out to clear the ball against Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Oct. 25. Brentford won the match, 3-2, sending Liverpool to its fourth consecutive Premier League defeat.
Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates after scoring his team's first goal in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 25.
Harry Maguire of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Oct. 19.
Andre of Wolverhampton Wanderers is challenged by Wilson Isidor of Sunderland during Sunderland's 2-0 win at Stadium of Light on Oct. 18, 2025 in Sunderland, England.
Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United is challenged by Floretino Luis of Burnley during Burnley's 2-0 win at Turf Moor on Oct. 18, 2025 in Burnley, England.
Erling Haaland of Manchester City competes for a header whilst under pressure from Sepp van den Berg and Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025. Man City won the match, 1-0.
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates alongside Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens after Estevao Willian scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 4, 2025.
Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa and Lyle Foster of Burnley compete for the ball during the Premier League match at Villa Park on Oct. 5, 2025 in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa won the match, 2-1.
Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko (16) fouls West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta during the match at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sept. 29, 2025.
Emiliano Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's third goal in a 3-1 win over Fulham at Villa Park on Sept. 28, 2025.
Igor Thiago of Brentford scores his team's second goal past Altay Bayindir of Manchester United during a 3-1 win at Brentford Community Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025.
Crystal Palace's Eddie Nketiah (9) scores their late winner during a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on Sept. 27, 2025.
Erling Haaland tries to hold off Manchester United defender Leny Yoro.
Arsenal's Martin Zubimendi celebrates scoring against Nottingham Forest.
Tottenham players celebrate a goal against West Ham.
Chelsea players celebrate a goal against Fulham.
Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring a penalty against Burnley.
Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's first goal against Aston Villa.
annibal Mejbri of Burnley celebrates the team's first goal against Sunderland at Turf Moor.
Chelsea players celebrate a goal against West Ham.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts during a loss to Tottenham.
Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores his team's fourth goal against Leeds.
Joao Palhinha of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Manchester City.
Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion reacts during the match against Fulham.
Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest goes around goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher of Brentford.
Cole Palmer controls the ball against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium during a win against Leeds.
Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo jumps over Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ki-Jana Hoever.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton.
Arsenal's Mikel Merino and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes vie for a header.
Players, match officials and fans take part in a moment of silence as a fan mosaic depicting "DJ20" is displayed in memory of late Liverpool star Diogo Jota.
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West Ham United's Valentin Castellanos shoots against Chelsea.
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West Ham United's Valentin Castellanos shoots against Chelsea.
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James Milner celebrates Brighton's win against Brentford.
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Yeremy Pino of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Raul Jimenez of Fulham at Craven Cottage on Dec. 7. Crystal Palace won the match, 2-1.
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Richarlison of Tottenham Hotspur scores his team's first goal against Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Dec. 6. Tottenham won the match, 2-0.
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Emi Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Villa Park on Dec. 6.
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Leandro Trossard scores Arsenal's first goal in a 4-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Emirates Stadium on Nov. 23.
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Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez makes a save against Burnley at Turf Moor in Burnley on Nov. 22. Chelsea won the match, 2-0.
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Nikola Milenkovic of Nottingham Forest wins a header under pressure from Jayden Bogle of Leeds United at City Ground on Nov. 9. Nottingham Forest won the match, 3-1.
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Michael Keane of Everton scores his team's second goal during a 2-0 win over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Nov. 8.
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Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch celebrates scoring his team's second goal in a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Nov. 1. The victory ended a four-game losing streak in Premier League games for the defending champions.
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Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri (right) and Burnley's Florentino Luis battle for possession of the ball at Turf Moor. Arsenal won the Nov. 1 match, 2-0, to stay six points above Manchester City atop the Premier League table.
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Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion scores his team's second goal whilst under pressure from Lucas Perri of Leeds United at Amex Stadium on Nov. 1. Brighton prevailed, 3-0.
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Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher comes out to clear the ball against Liverpool at the Gtech Community Stadium in London on Oct. 25. Brentford won the match, 3-2, sending Liverpool to its fourth consecutive Premier League defeat.
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Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates after scoring his team's first goal in a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 25.
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Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea celebrates alongside Marc Cucurella and Jamie Gittens after Estevao Willian scored the winning goal in a 2-1 win against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Oct. 4, 2025.
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Bruno Fernandes celebrates after scoring a penalty against Burnley.
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Joao Palhinha of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Manchester City.
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Diego Gomez of Brighton & Hove Albion reacts during the match against Fulham.
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Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest goes around goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher of Brentford.
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Cole Palmer controls the ball against Crystal Palace.
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Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium during a win against Leeds.
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Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo jumps over Wolverhampton Wanderers' Ki-Jana Hoever.
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Manchester City's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring against Wolverhampton.
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Arsenal's Mikel Merino and Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes vie for a header.
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Players, match officials and fans take part in a moment of silence as a fan mosaic depicting "DJ20" is displayed in memory of late Liverpool star Diogo Jota.
Rosenior also denied reports that some Chelsea players approached him to end Fernández's suspension early.
"There are still things in the air that I won't speak about now," added Rosenior.
"I have a very good relationship with Enzo, as all of us do, but there are still things that need to be cleared before I make a clear statement on the situation."
Fernández was also suspended for the club's last match, a 7-0 win against League One side Port Vale in the FA Cup.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Enzo Fernandez suspension: Why is Chelsea star out vs Man City?
Q&A
Why is Enzo Fernández suspended from Chelsea's match against Manchester City?
Enzo Fernández is suspended due to comments he made about wanting to move to Real Madrid, which led to a two-match internal suspension.
What did Enzo Fernández say about his future at Chelsea?
Enzo Fernández expressed doubts about his future at Chelsea after their elimination from the Champions League and hinted at a desire to live in Madrid.
How has Chelsea's manager responded to Enzo Fernández's comments?
Chelsea's manager, Liam Rosenior, acknowledged that Fernández has apologized but confirmed that the club will not overturn his suspension.
What impact does Enzo Fernández's absence have on Chelsea's Champions League hopes?
Enzo Fernández's absence is significant as Chelsea continues its push for a Champions League spot, especially in a crucial match against title contender Manchester City.
