Chelsea will be without a key midfield piece for their crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City this Sunday. Head coach Liam Rosenior has confirmed that Enzo Fernandez will serve the second match of his internal suspension, despite the player's recent apologies.

The Argentine midfielder was handed a two-match ban by the club last week following an interview during the international break in which he expressed admiration for Madrid. With Fernandez having already missed the FA Cup win over Port Vale, his absence against the reigning champions represents a significant tactical challenge for the Blues.

Rosenior detailed several conversations with the player, stating, "He's apologised to me, he's apologised to the club." However, the coach emphasized that the original disciplinary decision would stand. "We've made a sanction, we made a decision – I made a decision," Rosenior said, framing it as a move to protect the squad's focus ahead of a pivotal run-in.

With Chelsea sitting sixth, just one point off a Champions League spot, the fixture against City is monumental. Rosenior acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but stressed the importance of maintaining standards. "I want every player really focused on a huge run," he added, indicating that while Fernandez won't feature this weekend, the club hopes to reintegrate him swiftly afterward.

This situation puts Rosenior's managerial authority in the spotlight, choosing discipline over immediate on-field need in a high-stakes match. How Chelsea adapts their midfield without their record-signing will be a major storyline come Sunday.