Chelsea central midfielder Enzo Fernández (25) exploded at the club leadership.
Chelsea, with Fernández in the starting lineup, suffered a 0-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) round of 16 on the 18th.
Chelsea, which had lost the first leg 2-5, was eliminated from the Champions League after an aggregate 2-8 rout in the two legs. Because of this, there were talks of manager Liam Rosenior being sacked, but it was reported that not only the club leadership but also the players supported Rosenior.
But Fernández does not seem to feel that way. In a postmatch interview with the media, he openly voiced his dissatisfaction with the decision to dismiss former manager Enzo Maresca. It could be interpreted as a mutiny against the club leadership and the current manager.
According to Britain's Metro on the 21st, Fernández fired a direct shot at the leadership in a postmatch interview with Mexican broadcaster TUDN over Maresca's dismissal, saying, "I don't understand it either," and "Sometimes as a player you don't understand the way the club manages things."
Under Maresca's leadership last year, Chelsea achieved significant results, including winning the Conference League and winning the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup.
But Maresca clashed with the leadership over strengthening the defense and other player reinforcements, and decisively he was abruptly dismissed on Jan. 1 after being mentioned as a candidate to succeed Pep Guardiola.
Ultimately Chelsea hastily brought in Rosenior, who had been the manager at Strasbourg operated by the same ownership group. But Chelsea (48 points) sits 22 points behind leader Arsenal (70 points). Sitting sixth in the table, their bid to secure a Champions League spot is also in jeopardy.
Fernández said with anger, "Maresca's departure was a big wound for us. He was the one who gave us clear order and identity," adding, "Cutting off that momentum midway through the season ruined everything."
Depending on how it is heard, this was also a complaint about current manager Rosenior, because it suggests players miss Maresca despite the Maresca system.
Fernández's explosive remarks did not stop there. In an interview with ESPN Argentina, when asked whether he would remain at Chelsea next season he answered, "I don't know. I really don't know," hinting at the possibility of a transfer.
He added, "I will decide everything after the remaining eight league games, the FA Cup and the World Cup," shocking Chelsea fans. Fernández is a target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Meanwhile, former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley (55) harshly criticized Fernández, saying, "He is a good player but can be a bit whiny on the pitch," and pointed out, "Given the club keeps changing managers and brings in an inexperienced coach (Liam Rosenior), it is understandable that Enzo harbors ambitions, but his attitude is the problem."
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