Wahala dey for Chelsea camp as Enzo Fernandez agent, Javier Pastore, don come out to blast the club punishment wey dem give the Argentina midfielder. The whole matter start when Fernandez talk say e like Madrid as European city wey e go want live for future.
Chelsea manager, Liam Rosenior, don announce say Fernandez no go play for the next two matches. Na FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale this weekend and Premier League clash with Manchester City next weekend. The punishment come after Fernandez interview wey e talk about Madrid.
Pastore yarn to The Athletic say the punishment no make sense at all. “The punishment na completely unfair,” the agent talk. “Enzo no understand wetin dey happen. E no mention any club or talk say e wan leave Chelsea, not at all.”
“E only mention Madrid, the city, because dem ask am which European city e go like live one day, and e talk Madrid. But at no point e talk say e wan leave Chelsea or London,” Pastore explain.
The agent yarn say Fernandez don accept the decision because e na professional guy wey dey respect decisions. But Pastore still dey wonder why Chelsea go punish player for something wey no be offense.
“We no understand the punishment because e no mention any club or talk say e wan leave Chelsea, far from am,” Pastore continue. “E only mention Madrid because of the language… at no point e talk say e wan leave Chelsea or London.”
Pastore talk say the punishment too harsh, especially as Chelsea dey fight for Champions League qualification. “Banning player for two matches wey dey crucial for Chelsea because qualification for Champions League dey at stake and e na one of team most important players,” e talk.
“I think na far too harsh given Chelsea current situation, and no real reason or justification for why dem ban am,” Pastore add. “I understand club situation, but I no understand the sanction.”
The agent also reveal say contract talks don pause between Fernandez and Chelsea. Dem start discuss renewal around December or January, but dem no reach agreement.
“As Enzo contract still get six years to run, we decide not to renew am because the terms no correct for us or for the player,” Pastore yarn. “Given wetin Enzo fit do today, e deserve much more than wetin e dey earn now.”
Pastore talk say dem no reach agreement and e fit be say this one annoy the club. “We feel say rather than renew on terms wey no go make player happy, better make we leave things as dem dey and focus on playing and performing well,” e explain.
The agent talk say dem decide to put contract matter aside and focus 100 percent on crucial fixtures against Chelsea and also World Cup with Argentina. “We no wan enter discussion about figures, contracts and negotiations when timing no correct,” Pastore talk.
“Our plan after World Cup na to meet with Chelsea again and, if no agreement, to explore other options,” e reveal.
Pastore insist say Fernandez dey happy at Chelsea, but e suggest say dem no dey respect the player well. “There are other factors wey influence decisions, whether na salary, respect, or the way dem dey handle things,” e talk.
“There are so many things wey we no dey see at the moment – or at least I, as agent, no dey see – wey suggest say club no dey handle things in the best possible way with am,” Pastore add.
The agent talk say the two-match ban wey no make sense from e perspective suggest say club dey try make point or send message. “I suppose we go understand reasons better with time,” e talk.
“But to do this to vice-captain – or captain when Reece James no dey – to sanction am for two matches for something wey I no see reason or explanation, na undoubtedly sign of certain moves club go surely let us know about as soon as possible,” Pastore conclude.
Fernandez no expect any of e teammates to react negatively to e recent remarks, but through e agent, e don apologise to club fans. “Enzo wan apologise if any fan feel offended, but also stressing say e never talk of another club or say e wan leave Chelsea or London,” Pastore talk.
Chelsea decline to comment when Standard Sport contact dem. The whole matter still dey unfold as Chelsea prepare for important matches without one of their key players.
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