Fabrizio Romano reveals why Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez situation is worsening

Robin Bairner

• 4 Apr 2026 07:47 BST
• 6 min read

News

Fabrizio Romano has delivered an extensive update on Enzo Fernandez’s situation at Chelsea after the Blues announced he will not play in their next two matches.

Romano has explained what is likely to happen with regards Enzo’s future and who the Blues have lined up to replace their deputy captain should he leave in the summer amid serious interest from Real Madrid.

Chelsea announce action against Enzo Fernandez

“Chelsea have announced, through manager Liam Rosenior, that Enzo Fernandez will be sanctioned for the next two games. He will not play against Manchester City, and he will also miss the FA Cup match this weekend against Port Vale,” Romano explained on YouTube.

“That is a huge decision because Enzo is not only a top player, he is also a crucial figure and a captain at Chelsea in important moments. He is seen internally as a very important personality in the dressing room.

“So what happened? Chelsea believe Enzo crossed the line. In what sense? The club felt that his comments after the Paris Saint-Germain game were already not ideal for a leader. Right after the match, when asked whether he would stay or leave in the summer, he said we will see after the next games. Then he repeated similar things in Argentina a few days later. And during the international break, in two separate interviews, he again spoke about his future and mentioned Madrid, similar to Buenos Aires.

Current ETV

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

Enzo Fernández

M, DM (C)

Chelsea

€83M

ETV Range

€74.7M - €91.3M

View full profile

“Chelsea felt that in two or three weeks, there were too many things adding up, and that is why they decided to leave out such an important player for the next two games. This was not just Liam Brasenior. It was the club and the coach together. Owners, directors, management and the coaching staff all felt this was the best solution.”

Enzo Fernandez’s Real Madrid links

Romano discussed how the future could pan out for Enzo, revealing that there are ongoing contract talks with Chelsea – but there is also strong interest from Real Madrid.

“I have already told you what my information is on Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea and Enzo’s camp have been negotiating for some time, for months, over a new contract, but there is still no agreement,” he said.

“That is why the situation is not fully settled for the future. Many of you are also asking about Real Madrid. At the moment, the only thing we can say is that we know Real Madrid are looking at midfielders for the summer transfer window.

“Enzo Fernandez would love to play in Spain one day, and he would obviously be happy about a potential move to a top club like Real Madrid. But Chelsea paid a huge fee to sign him, and they would not accept a normal proposal. I do not think Chelsea would even consider offers in the region of €70-80 million. It would take big money.

“On Paris Saint-Germain, I am not aware of them being in for Enzo Fernandez. So this is a situation to watch from now until the summer, but nothing concrete yet.”

The Cucurella issue

Enzo Fernandez was not the only Chelsea player who made controversial remarks over the international break. Marc Cucurella commented on the club’s transfer policy and suggested a need for more experienced players.

“Liam Rosenior confirmed that there is no problem with Marc Cucurella,” Romano said.

“I told you the other day that his situation is different. Cucurella is not speaking to leave Chelsea, and he is not sending bad messages at all. He is speaking because he is 100 percent committed, as Rosenior said, and that is the reality.

“Cucurella signed a fresh deal on improved terms a few months ago, around September. So he is showing total trust in the Chelsea project. That is also what Reece James did, for example, when he signed a new contract. These players believe in the project and have been given assurances about Chelsea’s plans, ambitions and transfer windows.

“Then there was his answer in the press conference about Barcelona. He said you cannot reject Barcelona, but as I told you before, and let me repeat today, Cucurella was not sending a message to Barcelona or trying to leave Chelsea now. He was being honest. If one day he can return to Spain, that could be a possibility, because he still loves the club, but he made very clear that he is happy at Chelsea, fully focused on Chelsea, and his family is happy in London.

“So Cucurella is not planning to leave any time soon. But as a leader in the dressing room and one of the first signings of this new Chelsea era, he wants to see improvement in the coming months and years. He believes there are foundations there, but he also feels Chelsea may need to add some different types of players. That was the message.

“Rosenior and the club understood it, which is why there will be no consequences for Cucurella. He is available, there is no sanction, and no problem at all.”

What does this mean for Chelsea’s summer transfer plans?

Naturally, all this has given Chelsea a headache and has prompted them to reassess their situation heading into the forthcoming transfer window.

“What I can tell you about Chelsea is that they expect to be busy in the summer transfer window with different types of players,” Romano explained.

“Chelsea will not change their structure or their idea of investing in top talents and big potential players. That remains part of the project. But they are also open to adding experienced players, players who can make an immediate impact, players who do not need six or seven months before being ready to perform at a top club like Chelsea.

“So I expect Chelsea to be busy. I expect them to sign talents again, but also some experienced players. That will be the strategy. They are not changing completely. It is more about improving the squad while keeping their ambition and pushing for trophies. That is the clear message from the club.”

Valentin Barco: The Blues first summer signing?

Valentin Barco is one name who has been touted to replace Enzo Fernandez, and given the Argentine midfielder is already with BlueCo at Strasbourg and is well known to Rosenior, there would be a certain logic in signing him.

Romano explained the situation with the former Brighton man:

“He is doing fantastically well at Strasbourg. At the moment, he has good chances of being in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad for the World Cup. We have to see how he finishes the season, but he has done very well with Argentina in recent matches and even in training sessions. Scaloni and his staff are following him closely, and his progress has been very impressive.

Current ETV

Valentín Barco

M, DM (C)

Strasbourg

Valentín Barco

M, DM (C)

Strasbourg

€25.5M

ETV Range

€22.9M - €28M

View full profile

“Chelsea are also monitoring him closely because he is doing well at Strasbourg. At the moment, it is not a done deal. It is not already signed or completed between Chelsea and Strasbourg for Barco to join Chelsea in 2026. But Chelsea are considering the possibility and really like his progress, his attitude, and his mentality.

“So the next player to make the Strasbourg-to-Chelsea step could be Valentin Barco. It is not 100 percent closed or decided yet, but it is definitely a strong possibility.”

Chelsea have already agreed to sign Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg in the summer.