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During the international break, Fernandez said in an interview that he did not know whether he would remain at Chelsea next season, while he also hinted at a possible move to Real Madrid.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Blues in January 2023, will subsequently miss their FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Although Fernandez will miss Chelsea's next two games, Rosenior insisted the Argentina international still has a future at the club.

"It's disappointing for Enzo to speak that way," Rosenior said.

"I have got no bad words to say about him but a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. As a character, a person and a player, I have the utmost respect. He's frustrated because he wants us to be successful.

"In terms of the decision, it's not all about me, or the sporting directors. The ownership, the players, we are aligned in our decision.

"The door is not closed on Enzo. It's a sanction. You have to protect the culture, and in terms of that, a line was crossed."

Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella also said that he would be open to a return to Barcelona in the future, clarifying he was "happy" in London for the time being.

The left-back was not sanctioned by Chelsea.

"The players were motivated that we could do something really special in the [UEFA] Champions League," Rosenior said.

"The comments from Enzo and Marc Cucurella's interview both stem from that. It actually stems from a good place where they want the club to succeed.

"But in those moments, we need more emotional stability as a group of players."