'It’s a mess, it really is' Chelsea icon at a loss as to how club should deal with Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella

Joe Cole is at a loss as to what his former club should do about Enzo Fernandez after he was removed from the Chelsea squad for disciplinary reasons.

Liam Rosenior made no secret of the fact that Fernandez was left out for two games after commenting that he would be up for moving to the city of Madrid, prompting speculation that he was hoping to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid this summer.

Sky Sports report that the midfielder and his agent have apologised to Chelsea for the comments.

Cult Chelsea hero Joe Cole has strong words for his former club

However, speaking exclusively to Paddy Power prior to news of the apology, Cole expressed his belief that the situation is still far from ideal, saying: "It’s a difficult one. It’s not so much the punishment's right, it’s the fact that it’s the second time this has happened now [with Enzo Fernandez]. The club has got to take a stand.

"I must admit, I don’t know if this is the right model. I haven’t thought of a better way [of dealing with Fernandez], so it’s a mess, it really is."

Marc Cucurella meanwhile raised eyebrows by questioning Chelsea's decision to replace Enzo Maresca mid-season in an interview with The Athletic, saying the side was 'more stable' under the former manager and that he 'would not have made this decision'.

That was read by many as a tacit 'come and get me' plea from the full-back - much to Cole's chagrin.

He said: "You should be old enough to know that if those types of questions are coming, and even if you’re thinking about a move, the right answer is to say ’I’ve signed a long-term contract at Chelsea and I’m happy here.

"Anything more than that is going to cause stirs. It’s unnecessary and not needed, but it’s happened. Footballers do that nowadays, don’t they?"

Cole does, however, think that Chelsea could still salvage something from another mildly disappointing season, despite crashing to an 8-2 aggregate defeat to PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Blues are just a point behind Liverpool in the battle to finish in the top five and claim a Champions League place again, while they face Leeds United away in the FA Cup semi-finals later this month.

Cole said: "If Chelsea weren’t to get Champions League qualification and win the FA Cup, I personally, with my ex-player head on, would think that’s a better season than the other way around - [but] the club’s business model might prefer the Champions League.

"This group of Chelsea players aren’t ready to win the Champions League. That was clearly shown in the Paris-Saint-Germain game"