Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City raised fresh questions about the impact of Enzo Fernandez’s absence, with Liam Rosenior accepting the suspension might have influenced the display as the result left Chelsea four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool in the chase for Champions League qualification.

The loss at Stamford Bridge was Chelsea’s heaviest home defeat since a 1-4 reverse against Brentford in April 2022, while the setback also meant Chelsea have now been beaten in consecutive Premier League home matches, having also lost 0-1 to Newcastle United in September 2023 under Mauricio Pochettino.

Recent league form has highlighted wider concerns for Chelsea, who have now lost successive Premier League fixtures by margins of at least three goals for the first time since February 2018 under Antonio Conte, when Chelsea were beaten 0-3 by Bournemouth and 1-4 by Watford during a difficult run.

Against Manchester City, Chelsea controlled only 37.3% of possession and rarely dictated tempo, with the midfield looking less composed without Enzo Fernandez, whose ability on the ball and passing range usually help Chelsea retain control in high-pressure fixtures against top-level opponents.

Enzo Fernandez missed the match as Fernandez served the second game of a club-imposed suspension, which followed comments made during the international break that hinted at a possible future transfer to Real Madrid and prompted internal discussions about discipline and standards within the Chelsea squad.

Asked directly whether the decision to leave Fernandez out damaged Chelsea’s chances on the pitch, Liam Rosenior accepted there might have been an effect, replying: “Possibly. Possibly, in hindsight, you see 20-20 in hindsight. Enzo’s a top player and he’s a top character and I’m looking forward to having him back next week.”

Chelsea and Enzo Fernandez long-term culture stance

Rosenior stressed that the club’s approach to the suspension focused on long-term standards rather than short-term results, saying: “Sometimes you make decisions not based on the short-term, you make decisions based on what you want to see long-term. And it was a long-term decision that myself, the directors and the club were aligned with the leadership group of players that we made to make sure that our values and our culture in the long-term is in the right place. But Enzo has had the conversations he’s needed to have. He’s been fantastic in the last few days in supporting myself and the team and I can’t wait to have him back in the squad.”

With Chelsea preparing to face Manchester United next weekend in what appears a key fixture for Champions League qualification hopes, Enzo Fernandez’s expected return to the squad is likely to draw attention, both for tactical reasons and for what it reveals about how Chelsea balance results with maintaining internal values.