Chelsea
Rosenior Stands By Enzo Fernández Amid Suspension and Questions Over Comments
Rosenior insists his relationship with Enzo Fernández is strong despite the suspension at Port Vale.
Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior moved to reassure the club’s supporters and the player himself after Enzo Fernández was left out in the build-up to the FA Cup tie with Port Vale. The midfielder watched the 7–0 defeat from the sidelines, and Rosenior insisted his working relationship with Fernández remains intact.
“I made it really clear yesterday what I think of him as a person. He’s a top, top guy,” Rosenior said, adding: “In the right time, in the right moment—which isn’t now, going through what we’ve gone through—I’m sure the discussion will happen in terms of what’s been said between me and Enzo. Enzo and I are in a very good place. I saw him today, had a really good conversation with him today one-to-one, and things aren’t what people maybe think they are.”
Rosenior was at pains to stress he was not the driving force behind what the club described as a “joint decision” to sideline Fernández. The manager underlined that Fernández came to watch and spoke with him directly before the match.
The player’s agent, former Argentina international Javier Pastore, publicly defended Fernández after the suspension was announced. Pastore said he received “no real reason or justification” for a punishment he called “far too harsh.” Pastore pointed to Fernández’s comments about living in Spain, quoting the midfielder: “I’d like to live in Spain, I really like Madrid; it reminds me of Buenos Aires. Players live where they want. I’d live in Madrid. I get by in English, but I’d be more comfortable in Spanish.” Pastore added: “He only mentions Madrid, the city, because he was asked which European city he’d like to live in one day, and he said Madrid because of the language, because it’s similar to Buenos Aires and because it’s logical—it’s only natural for an Argentine to say that—and also because of the culture, the weather … but at no point does he say he wants to leave Chelsea or London.”
Fernández has also left the door open to a potential summer transfer when asked about Real Madrid in other interviews.
Responding to Pastore, Rosenior said: “That’s his opinion. I don’t have anything to say on someone else’s opinion. Enzo knows what I think of him and it was brilliant to see him here to support the players today.”
By omitting Fernández, Rosenior lost the squad’s second-top scorer, leading assist provider and vice captain. With first-choice skipper Reece James out injured, Rosenior appointed Cole Palmer as captain for the match and praised him: “I think it’s a natural step for Cole where he is in his career. He shows leadership. You have different types of leadership. You have players who talk, who organize.
“What Cole does and where he leads is he’s so brave and he’ll take the ball on the pitch. And if he makes a mistake, he’ll take the ball and be positive again. That reflects what I want in this team. I felt Cole led the team magnificently in the game today.”
Chelsea
Summer transfer snapshot: loan approaches, swaps and priority targets across clubs
Transfer links and swap proposals affecting Premier League clubs, Europe and notable players. Today.
A round-up of the latest transfer developments covers a wide set of enquiries, proposed swaps and target lists circulating this window.
River Plate have approached Manchester United over Alejandro Garnacho as they attempt to bring him back to his homeland. Chelsea are reported to be interested in facilitating a one-year loan for the winger.
Paris Saint-Germain are cautious about losing Bradley Barcola to Arsenal and would consider replacing him with Chelsea youngster Estêvão. A bid of $116 million (€100 million, £87 million) is being prepared for that move.
Arsenal are concerned about Gabriel Martinelli’s contract and will reluctantly listen to offers for the winger to raise funds for a replacement. The Gunners have also been linked with Como centre back Jacobo Ramón, for whom Real Madrid retain a buy-back clause.
Galatasaray hope to sign Mohamed Salah on a free transfer and envisage reuniting him with his Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk. A swap proposal involving versatile right back Roland Sallai has been put forward as one option.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has identified Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford as a primary target and remains hopeful the England international could join even if Spurs are relegated.
Manchester United are monitoring Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana as a potential alternative to Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson. United are also preparing for an overhaul in goal, with André Onana expected to depart and the exit possibly to include deputy Altay Bayındır.
Harry Maguire turned down an offer from Inter Miami and agreed a contract renewal with Manchester United, with the centre back expressing a desire to finish his career at Old Trafford.
Newcastle United are reported to be more likely than Chelsea to complete a deal for Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
West Ham United are tracking Palmeiras striker Heittor Vinicius, 18, in an attempt to reach terms before the teenager has made his senior debut.
Real Madrid are pursuing Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and are exploring a swap that would send Eduardo Camavinga to Anfield. Chelsea have formally approached Real Madrid over winger Vinicius Junior amid concerns Madrid would prefer to sell rather than risk losing him for free in 18 months.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has asked his agent to open discussions with Barcelona about a future transfer.
Chelsea
Enzo Fernández Poised to Reclaim Chelsea Armband as Leadership Debate Persists
Enzo Fernandez expected to wear Chelsea armband again amid sanctions and Real Madrid interest noted.
Chelsea expect Enzo Fernández to resume a leading role with the armband while the club’s handling of his recent conduct remains under scrutiny. Fernández was sanctioned by the club after he appeared to openly court a move to Real Madrid, yet manager Rosenior has sought to limit damage to his relationship with the midfielder. Rosenior insisted that “things aren’t what people maybe think they are” and is preparing to welcome his star back for the side’s next fixture against Manchester United.
With club captain Reece James still sidelined by injury, Fernández is expected to wear the armband on his return, The Guardian report. The 25-year-old “remains part of the leadership group” and is described as one of the most vocal and forthright personalities in the squad.
The decision to reinstate Fernández is not universally accepted. The Athletic quote one source who felt compelled to stress that Fernández is merely “one of several co-captains” as opposed to the “formal vice-captain.” Both reports agree that Cole Palmer will not captain Chelsea against Manchester City on Sunday. Palmer wore the armband in last weekend’s 7–0 win over Port Vale for the first time in his career and said, “It was a proud moment being captain,” Palmer noted. “I enjoyed it and it was a good afternoon.”
Multiple outlets expect Moisés Caicedo to take the armband against City. The 24-year-old has already twice captained Chelsea this season in cup competitions against lower league opposition and is considered higher in the pecking order than Palmer. Whether he keeps the captaincy at Fernández’s expense against Manchester United will also depend on Caicedo not receiving a 10th yellow card against City.
Appearance ranks at Chelsea underline where each player sits in experience: Reece James 226, Enzo Fernández 161, Moisés Caicedo 139 and Cole Palmer 123. Fernández’s possession of the armband for the remainder of the campaign is one issue. His long-term status at the club is more complex. Marc Cucurella was left unsanctioned after he was convinced by discussions with the hierarchy, while Fernández is thought to “remain keen” on a move to Real Madrid, BBC Sport report. That same report lists his asking price at $133.2 million (£100 million) and describes Madrid’s stance as unclear.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s win over Sporting hands Premier League an extra Champions League place
Arsenal’s win over Sporting secures a fifth-place Champions League spot for the Premier League. 2026
Arsenal’s 1–0 victory over Sporting CP guaranteed that fifth place in the Premier League will qualify for next season’s Champions League. That single result removed uncertainty for clubs fighting to finish in the top five and will have been welcomed by rivals outside north London.
English clubs had dominated the Champions League group stage, with five of the top eight being Premier League teams. Even after a mass exit of English sides in the round of 16, the early autumn performance left the division with a strong coefficient lead for the season.
Heading into the quarterfinals, England needed only one draw from any of the five remaining clubs to secure the extra continental spot. Arsenal provided the required result with a nervy win over Sporting CP.
That confirmation comes at a key moment in the league table. Manchester United sit third on 55 points with a +13 goal difference while Aston Villa are fourth on 54 and Liverpool fifth on 49 with a +8 goal difference. Chelsea lie close behind on 48 with a +15 goal difference. The race could theoretically stretch down to Fulham in ninth as the final seven games play out.
Manchester United’s surge under Michael Carrick and Unai Emery’s steadier form at Aston Villa have reshaped expectations for the run-in. Even Everton’s manager David Moyes acknowledged the unexpected nature of his club’s position. “I’d love to say it was [a possibility] as I’m trying to be more positive than I would normally be,” Moyes mused last month, “but for Everton to even be in the mix for Europe is unbelievable, whether it is Conference League or Champions League.”
On the coefficient table, England lead with a coefficient average of 25.013, Spain are second on 20.281 and Germany third on 19.714. Spain are the only nation that can possibly overtake England this term, which means England’s extra Champions League place is secured for next season.
Several scenarios remain that could swell the number of English clubs in Europe, including domestic cup outcomes and European trophy winners from the Premier League, but Arsenal’s result erased the primary uncertainty about a fifth-placed Champions League berth.
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