LONDON (AP) — Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has been dropped for the team’s next two matches following comments he made during the international break.

The 25-year-old said on a podcast this week that he would like to live in Madrid, amid speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

Fernandez had already said last month, after Chelsea’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, that he did not know whether he will be at Chelsea next season.

Chelsea coach Liam Rosenior confirmed on Friday that a decision has been taken by the club to remove the Argentina international from the team for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and next weekend’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City.

“I spoke with Enzo about an hour ago,” Rosenior said. “As a football club, with me as part of the decision, he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game or Manchester City next Sunday.

“It’s disappointing for Enzo to speak that way. I’ve got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build.”

Fernandez joined Chelsea for a then-British record £107 million ($142 million) in 2023 and was appointed vice-captain the following year.

“Enzo, firstly, as a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect,” said Rosenior. “He’s frustrated because he wants us to be successful.

“In terms of the decision, it’s not all about me, or the sporting directors, the ownership, the players, we are aligned in our 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.”

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