Home GeneralRosenior on Fernandez sanction, Cucurella comments and FA Cup focus

Rosenior on Fernandez sanction, Cucurella comments and FA Cup focus

by Luna
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Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale at Stamford Bridge (kick-off 17:15 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

  • Rosenior confirmed Enzo Fernandez has been dropped from the squad to face Port Vale and the following game against Manchester City as a sanction for recent comments made about his future.
  • The midfielder raised questions about whether he would still be at the club beyond the summer in an interview after Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Paris St-Germain. He then clarified his focus now was with the Blues, but in a more recent interview he said: "I'd like to live in Spain, I really like Madrid – it reminds me of Buenos Aires," when asked where he would love to live if he were to leave London.
  • In response to those, Rosenior said: "It's disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. 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."
  • He continued: "In terms of the decision, it's not all about me, or the sporting directors, the ownership, the players. We are aligned in every decision that we make. It was a joint 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 in the international break."
  • The Blues boss also said the situation is "not ideal" and "a lot of this stems from a difficult 10 days in terms of results we have had", with a "huge emotional dump that fell through into the next three games" following the first-leg defeat by PSG.
  • He added: "The players were motivated that we could do something really special in the Champions League. The comments from Enzo and Marc Cucurella's interview both stem from that. It actually stems from a good place where they want the club to succeed. But in those moments, we need more emotional stability as a group of players."
  • Asked for more on Cucurella, who said during the international break it would be "hard to turn down" former club Barcelona, Rosenior responded: "I had a fantastic conversation with Marc yesterday, half an hour in my office. I've been here for less than three months and I'm enjoying it – even the difficult moments. I've told the players from day one that if they have any issues on how we do things, speak to me or sporting directors."
  • He continued: "My disappointment in Marc's interview was where it went to. I think he should've spoken to us first about how he was feeling. I want players to know they can speak openly and honestly for the benefit of the football club. As a football club, we know we need to improve."
  • Rosenior did confirm, however, Cucurella was a separate case and he would be available for Saturday.
  • The head coach insisted he wants to be fully focussed on the FA Cup quarter-final, but this is not about him winning silverware for his own career but "about the club being successful now and in the long-term".

Listen to full commentary of Chelsea v Port Vale on Saturday at 17:15 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

You can also watch live on the BBC and found out how to follow all of the action here

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[BBC]

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