Maresca drops Fernandez from Chelsea's XI ahead of Man Utd clash after split

Enzo Maresca has revealed why Enzo Fernandez has lost his place in the Chelsea starting line-up in recent fixtures.

It comes after Fernandez, 23, split from his childhood sweetheart Valentina Cervantes to live on his own - despite them having a daughter and son together.

Fernandez has had to settle for a seat on the bench in Chelsea's last two Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle. It remains to be seen what his involvement will be against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

The midfielder has copped flak ever since Chelsea signed him from Benfica for a British record £107million in 2023. TalkSPORT host Rory Jennings claimed recently that he should 'never play for Chelsea again' and that he is potentially the 'worst' signing in Premier League history.

But Maresca has great sympathy for Fernandez's struggles to live up to his price tag, not least given the turmoil in his personal life.

‘They are human beings and if you pay £100m that is not my problem,’ Maresca said ahead of Chelsea's clash with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon.

‘You want to buy me then you pay that money. That does not mean that every game you have to be the best. At the end of the day they are football players and they cannot always be at the top level.

‘At this moment Enzo is not playing but there is no problem wi