Real Madrid News
Real Madrid target sanctioned by Chelsea over comments about future
In a major development, Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior has confirmed that midfielder Enzo Fernandez, a target for Real Madrid, has been sanctioned by the club over his recent comments regarding his future.
As such, the Argentine international will not be considered for selection for the Blues’ next two matches against Port Vale (FA Cup) and Manchester City (Premier League).
Rosenior explains sanction decision
Speaking to the media ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Port Vale, Rosenior confirmed the sanction on Fernandez.
“I spoke with Enzo an hour ago. We’ve made a decision – he won’t be available for tomorrow’s game and he won’t be available for Manchester City,” Rosenior said at his press conference, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“It’s disappointing to speak in that way. What I will say about Enzo is that, in terms of him as a person, I’ve got no bad words to say. But a line was crossed in terms of our culture. We had to make a sanction.”
However, Rosenior made it clear that the door was not closed on Fernandez at Chelsea, saying:
“The door is not closed on Enzo – that’s very important. It’s a sanction. You have to protect this club and culture, and in terms of that, the line was crossed in the international break.”
What Enzo had said
During the international break, Fernandez dropped huge hints about a potential exit from Chelsea in the summer, even suggesting that his preferred destination would be Real Madrid.
“Now we’re focused on Chelsea and what’s left of the last few games this season and then we’ll see after the World Cup,” Fernandez had stated.
In another interview, he went a step further, adding: “I’d like to live in Spain. I really like Madrid. It reminds me of Buenos Aires. I would live in Madrid.
“A player lives wherever he wants. I can get by in English, but I’d be better with Spanish.”
Real Madrid opted to renew Antonio Rudiger’s contract this past summer to keep him at the club for one more season.
The 33-year-old veteran defender, though, has not been performing at his best, with physical problems taking their toll and age starting to catch up with him.
As such, the expectation is that Los Blancos will not extend his contract again when his current one expires on 30 June 2027.
Tottenham eye Antonio Rudiger
And, according to reports relayed by AS, Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a free-transfer swoop to sign Rudiger in the summer of next year.
The north London club are understood to be keen on reinforcing their backline next year and see the German defender as an option, given his experience in the Premier League and the fact that he would be available for free in the summer.
So far this season, Rudiger has played only five games for Real Madrid, amounting to a total of 396 minutes.
The 33-year-old has even chipped in with two goals, including the all-important winner in the 4-3 comeback victory over AS Roma on Wednesday night.
Time to move on?
Despite Rudiger being a hugely respected figure in the Real Madrid locker room, he is currently the third-choice centre-back for Jose Mourinho.
After all, summer signing Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen have been preferred by the manager so far in the new season.
Moreover, with Eder Militao set to return imminently after a lengthy injury layoff, Rudiger’s game-time could be impacted further.
Given the situation and factoring in Real Madrid’s plans to sign another centre-back next summer, it is pretty much evident that Rudiger does not feature in the club’s plans for beyond this season.
As such, a separation of ways seems pretty likely when his contract expires, and Tottenham are now positioning themselves as early suitors to sign Rudiger as a free agent in 2027.
