Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confessed that his side desperately missed suspended midfielder Enzo Fernandez during Sunday’s humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Manchester City.
‘Any Team Will Miss Enzo’: Rosenior Blames Fernandez Suspension for Chelsea’s Humiliation Against City
The result leaves the Blues languishing in sixth place, four points adrift of Liverpool in the race for a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
The Stamford Bridge crowd greeted the final whistle with loud boos as Chelsea suffered their fifth loss in six matches across all competitions.
Fernandez missed the game due to a club-imposed suspension following comments about a potential summer exit. Rosenior did not hide the Argentine’s importance.
“Any team will miss Enzo,” Rosenior told Sky Sports.
“He will be back with the group on Tuesday. He is a top player and a really good guy.”
The manager insisted the decision came from the club’s leadership group and sporting directors, adding that there is nothing personal with the midfielder.
Second-half goals from Nico O’Reilly, Marc Guehi and Jeremy Doku clinically dismantled a Chelsea side that looked devoid of confidence. The Blues have now failed to score for three consecutive league games.
“Not good enough in the second half,” Rosenior admitted.
“If you go down against teams as good as this, you need to stay in the game for the next five minutes.
It ended up being a really difficult second half. I can’t say there was a lack of effort, but there was a lack of confidence.”
Rosenior, who replaced Enzo Maresca in January, accepted full responsibility for the ongoing slump.
“I am accountable,” he said.
“We have to improve. We are in a difficult place at the moment. We can’t forget we played against a team in massive form pushing for the title.
But we need to win games like this. That’s why I came to the club.”
Chelsea now prepare for another crucial fixture at home to third-place Manchester United next week.
