Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has emphatically declared that midfielder Enzo Fernandez remains fully committed to the club, following extensive discussions to clarify remarks that suggested potential uncertainty about his future at Stamford Bridge. The Argentina international had previously hinted at a possible summer exit in comments made after Chelsea's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, but Rosenior now confirms the player's dedication is unwavering.
Fernandez Clarifies Position After Exit Speculation
Enzo Fernandez, who joined Chelsea in 2023 for a then-British record fee of £107 million on a contract running until 2028, had told ESPN Argentina that he was unsure about remaining with the Blues next season. These comments came in the aftermath of Tuesday's disappointing 3-0 home defeat to PSG in the Champions League, which effectively ended Chelsea's European campaign for the season.
However, Rosenior revealed that he held detailed conversations with the 25-year-old midfielder on Thursday morning at the club's training ground, where Fernandez clarified his position and reaffirmed his commitment. "I had a great conversation with Enzo at length this morning," Rosenior stated. "Not just about the comments, but the future and how much we want to win the coming games."
Manager Expresses Complete Confidence in Player
Rosenior emphasized that Fernandez made it abundantly clear how happy he is at Chelsea and how passionate he remains about the club's success. "I would say he made it really clear to me how happy he is here, how much he wants to win for the team, and how passionate he is for this football club," the manager explained. "He said also the translation and emotion got misconstrued. He is completely committed to this football club."
The manager's comments effectively put to rest speculation that Fernandez might be considering a departure this summer, despite the player's earlier suggestion that the remaining Premier League fixtures and FA Cup campaign could potentially represent his final contributions in a Chelsea shirt.
Chelsea Identify Source of Team Selection Leaks
In other developments at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have successfully identified the individual responsible for leaking Rosenior's team selections ahead of both Champions League encounters against Paris Saint-Germain. According to information obtained by the Press Association, the source was not a member of the playing squad and is considered external to the club.
Rosenior addressed the situation directly, stating: "We know (who it was). It's not come from any place of malicious intent, to me or the team. We have dealt with the situation." The manager's comments suggest the matter has been resolved internally without significant disruption to the squad's preparations.
Injury Updates Provide Mixed News for Chelsea
Chelsea received both positive and negative news on the injury front, with defender Trevoh Chalobah's ankle injury proving less severe than initially feared following his stretcher exit during the PSG match. The 26-year-old sustained the injury after a tackle from Achraf Hakimi, with initial images suggesting a badly twisted joint, but he is now expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks rather than facing a longer absence.
Captain Reece James, who missed Tuesday's Champions League encounter with a hamstring issue, has also received encouraging news. Rosenior confirmed the injury is "not serious" though the defender will miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Everton. "Reece we will look more after the international break," Rosenior explained. "It's not serious but something in his hamstring we will monitor after the international break."
Less positive is the news regarding Filip Jorgensen, whose groin injury will require surgical intervention, potentially keeping him out of action for an extended period.
Manager Backs Defender After Costly Error
Rosenior offered his full support to defender Mamadou Sarr, whose early error against PSG led to a goal that effectively ended Chelsea's hopes of progressing in the Champions League. "It's a lot for all of us," the manager acknowledged. "We are expected to achieve in the now. I am so excited for his career, that is why he is here. You have to go through negative experiences sometimes to improve. He is a massive part of our plans."
The manager's backing suggests Sarr will continue to feature prominently despite the costly mistake, as Chelsea look to finish their Premier League campaign strongly and pursue success in the FA Cup competition.
