Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has faced his first significant internal test since taking charge, with midfielder Enzo Fernandez at the center of a disciplinary storm. The club has handed Fernandez a two-match suspension for comments deemed to have "crossed a line," publicly casting doubt on his future at Stamford Bridge.

The ban, decided by Rosenior alongside sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, forced Fernandez to miss the FA Cup clash with Port Vale and a critical Premier League fixture against Manchester City. This comes at a difficult time for the squad, which is also missing the injured Reece James.

Despite the firm disciplinary action, Rosenior has reportedly extended an olive branch to the Argentinian World Cup winner. Fernandez has remained training with the first team and, for now, retains his position within the squad's leadership group.

Rosenior has downplayed the rift publicly, stating after the Port Vale match that the situation is "not what people think." He has also opted not to engage with statements from Fernandez's camp, which denied the player explicitly requested a move or named Real Madrid as a destination.

All eyes will now be on Fernandez's return, likely against Manchester United next weekend, where the scrutiny on his performance will be immense. How he and Rosenior navigate this challenge could be a defining moment for Chelsea's new era.