The Blues have regrouped at Cobham in recent days and have been preparing for tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale at Stamford Bridge.

Rosenior conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of that fixture this morning, and confirmed that the Argentine international would be unavailable against the League One side, and for next weekend’s Premier League visit from City.

‘I spoke with Enzo an hour ago,' our head coach began. ‘As a football club, and with me as part of that process, we've made a decision: he won't be available for tomorrow's game and he won't be available for Manchester City next Sunday.’

Rosenior added: ‘I think a line was crossed in terms of our culture and what we want to build. So we had to make a sanction and that was a decision we've made.’

Fernandez has made 46 appearances for the Blues this season and has regularly captained the side. Rosenior says he has the ‘utmost respect’ for the midfielder but insists that the club's culture must always be protected.

Rosenior explained: ‘In terms of the decision – and I’ve said this from day one – it's not all about just me, it's not all about the sporting directors, the ownership, or the players. We are aligned in every decision that we make. It was a joint decision.

‘Saying that, the door is not closed on Enzo. That's very important. It's a sanction because at this football club, which is a winning football club with traditions of success, you have to protect that culture. I think in terms of that, the line was crossed in the international break.’

With Fernandez set to be absent and men's captain Reece James sidelined through injury, Rosenior was asked who would captain the Blues in our forthcoming fixtures.

Our head coach reiterated there are several leaders within the group that he could turn to, and that a decision would be made when he selects his starting XI.

'We've got many leaders,' said Rosenior. 'Moises Caicedo is in our leadership group. Tosin, too. We've got Cole Palmer, we've got Joao Pedro. We've got Marc Cucurella. We've got leaders in the group.

'So I'll make that decision later on today when I name the team and you'll see who's captain tomorrow.'