Will Enzo Fernandez play this weekend? Latest on Chelsea midfielder as Real Madrid transfer saga continues

Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez caused quite a stir with his comments while he was away on international duty last month.

The Argentina star, who has been linked with Real Madrid, joined up with his country after a run of four successive defeats threatened to derail the Blues' season.

And Fernandez cast doubt on his Chelsea future in an interview with YouTube channel Avirales, saying: "I'd like to live in Spain, I really like Madrid; it reminds me of Buenos Aires. Players live where they want. I'd live in Madrid. I get by [speaking] English, but I'd be more comfortable in Spanish."

Is Enzo Fernandez available to face Manchester City this weekend?

The Chelsea hierarchy did not take kindly to Fernandez's comments, with Liam Rosenior dropping the 25-year-old from his line-up for last Saturday's 7-0 hammering of Port Vale in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Blues head coach is said to have made his decision alongside co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, with senior ownership figures backing the move.

And Fernandez is also set to sit out Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester City, with Rosenior deciding to drop his vice-captain for two matches.

The Chelsea boss told BBC Sport last week: "I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. As a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He's frustrated because he wants us to be successful.

"In terms of the decision, it's not all about me, or the sporting directors. The ownership, the players, we are aligned in our decision.

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

While Rosenior has left the door open for Fernandez to return to the team, the 2022 World Cup winner is reportedly set to submit a transfer request to leave Chelsea this summer.

The 25-year-old joined the Blues from Portuguese giants Benfica for £106.8m in January 2023 and has six years left on his contract, so the west London club are under no pressure to sell.

Chelsea are sixth in the table ahead of their return to Premier League action, one point below fifth-place Liverpool, who currently occupy the final Champions League qualification place.

After taking on City, Rosenior's side then host Manchester United on Saturday, April 18, when Fernandez would be available for selection as things stand.