Rosenior has sought to offer Fernandez an olive branch and a route forward following the punishment. <\/p>\n
The midfielder has continued to train with the first\u2011team squad and, at present, there has been no indication he will be stripped of his leadership role.<\/p>\n
After the Port Vale game – which Fernandez watched from behind the Chelsea<\/a> bench – Rosenior said things are “not what people think” between the two of them.<\/p>\n “In the right time, in the right moment, I’m sure the discussion will happen in terms of what’s been said between me and Enzo,” he added.<\/p>\n “Enzo and I are in a very good place. Things aren’t what people maybe think they are.”<\/p>\n The former Strasbourg, Hull City and Derby County boss has also chosen not to respond publicly to Fernandez’s representatives, who have since insisted their client never said he wanted to leave Chelsea<\/a> or London, nor referenced Real by name.<\/p>\n However, a wide\u2011ranging interview from Fernandez’s camp also claimed he “deserves much more than he is currently earning”, while further reports in Argentina have suggested attempts were made this week to have the suspension reduced.<\/p>\n The scrutiny is unlikely to ease and will add another layer of pressure to Fernandez’s performances when he returns against Manchester United<\/a> next weekend.<\/p>\n It is a blow for Chelsea<\/a>, who are also without Reece James through injury, leaving Andrey Santos or Romeo Lavia likely to step up against City. <\/p>\n Chelsea<\/a> have no regrets over their stance. Rosenior has said he needed to “protect the culture”, with those involved believing the series of remarks, which also include two controversial post-match interviews after defeat by PSG, represented a point at which the club needed to act.<\/p>\n There was a desire to set a precedent and avoid perceptions that Fernandez, one of the squad’s senior figures, had received preferential treatment. <\/p>\n Equally, Chelsea<\/a> were keen not to allow ill\u2011discipline to take hold, having already collected nine red cards across all competitions this season<\/a>.<\/p>\n Chelsea<\/a> remain in regular dialogue with senior players and accept some criticism, including Cucurella’s comments regarding the recruitment of young players and how that contributed to a naive first\u2011half performance at PSG.<\/p>\n Privately, the club have assured Cucurella and captain James – the latter during his most recent contract renewal<\/a> – that signings with proven Premier League experience will arrive at centre\u2011back, central midfield and in attacking areas.<\/p>\n