Chelsea host Manchester City in Sunday’s Premier League fixture, with kick-off scheduled for 4.30pm BST. The match comes into focus not only for its significance on the pitch, but also for the contrasting situations surrounding two high-profile midfielders: Rodri is available for City, while Enzo Fernández will not feature for Chelsea.
The background to both players has been shaped by remarks made during the international break. Fernández and Rodri had both spoken about a move to Madrid, comments that circulated quickly beyond the local context in which they were made. In a modern media landscape, an interview that might once have stayed within national borders can spread rapidly and become a talking point in England within hours.
For City, Rodri’s inclusion offers a familiar and important presence in midfield as they head to Stamford Bridge. For Chelsea, Fernández’s absence is equally notable, with the club having suspended him for what was described as “crossing a line”. That decision means he will not be part of the squad for one of Chelsea’s biggest domestic fixtures of the season.
What Fernández said about Maresca
The wider discussion around Fernández has also been shaped by his comments on Enzo Maresca’s departure on New Year’s Day. Speaking to Luzo TV, Fernández said the exit “hurt a lot” because the team had “a lot of identity”. He added that Maresca “gave us order” and said the manager’s departure “hurt us especially in the middle of the season – it cuts everything short”.
Those remarks were framed as disappointment rather than criticism. Fernández suggested that Maresca had helped establish clarity in training and in matches, and that his exit disrupted that process. The comments prompted debate, but sadness at a manager’s departure is not, in itself, a disciplinary issue.
The situation has drawn attention because of the contrast between the two players’ current circumstances. Rodri will take his place for Manchester City, while Fernández has been left out by Chelsea at a time when the club will need as much quality and control as possible against one of their main rivals.
The fixture is expected to attract close attention as both sides continue their Premier League campaigns. Chelsea’s selection decisions, City’s midfield strength, and the broader context around Fernández’s suspension all add extra intrigue to a match that would already carry significant weight.
Elsewhere in the Premier League, there were already results earlier in the day: Crystal Palace led Newcastle 1-0, Nottingham Forest were level at 1-1 with Aston Villa, and Sunderland were drawing 0-0 with Tottenham Hotspur.
More updates from Chelsea v Manchester City will follow from 4.30pm BST.
