Enzo Fernandez will sit out Chelsea's next two games after he "crossed a line" with comments he made about his future at the club, says manager Liam Rosenior.
After Chelsea's exit from the Champions League last month, Fernandez told ESPN that he did not know whether he would remain at Stamford Bridge next season.
The 25-year-old Argentine joined the Blues for what was a British record transfer fee of £107m in January 2023 and has made 161 appearances.
Rosenior said the midfielder has been dropped for Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale and the Premier League fixture against Manchester City on 12 April.
"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."
Rosenior confirmed Fernandez will retain the vice-captaincy, adding: "I won't be stripping him of anything because he doesn't deserve that.
"We had a really calm conversation. I explained the decision and why. I know it doesn't look like it right now, but Enzo and I have an unbelievable relationship."
But the issue appears far from settled, with Fernandez's agent Javier Pastore saying the Argentina international does not understand the decision.
"The punishment is completely unfair," Pastore told the Athletic.
"Banning the player for two matches, which moreover are also absolutely crucial for Chelsea because qualification for the Champions League is at stake and he is one of the team's most important players.
"He has proven himself this year to be a leader and a key player, the backbone of this Chelsea side. I think it's far too harsh given Chelsea's current situation, and there's no real reason or justification for why he has been banned.
"Enzo didn't understand the situation. When the coach told him, he accepted it because he's a highly professional guy who's always fully committed wherever he is and respects decisions, but we don't understand the punishment because he doesn't mention any club or say he wants to leave Chelsea, far from it."
In the same interview, Fernandez said there had been "no talks" with Real Madrid and he was focused on Chelsea, but would "see after the World Cup".
When conducting a more recent interview, he said he would "like to live in Spain" and Madrid reminded him of Buenos Aires.
"It's not ideal," Rosenior said. "A lot of this stems from a difficult 10 days in terms of results we have had - probably the most difficult for me as a player or manager."
Chelsea lost four successive games between 11 and 21 March, including an 8-2 aggregate defeat in their Champions League last-16 tie with Paris St-Germain.
Defender Marc Cucurella also made suggestions his future could lie elsewhere, opening the door to a return to Barcelona, although he clarified he was "happy" at Chelsea and would prefer to wait a "few years" before moving on.
"The players were motivated that we could do something really special in the 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."
Rosenior said he spent 30 minutes talking with Cucurella on Thursday and believes the Spain international is "fully committed".
Chelsea have won 10 of their 19 games since Rosenior took charge in January, losing seven and drawing two.
They sit sixth in the Premier League and are six points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa in the race for a Champions League spot.
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