Enzo Fernandez's future will need to be resolved at the end of the season, no matter what.
The Chelsea midfielder hit headlines recently after he threw his future in doubt by admitting he 'doesn't know' if he'll stay at Stamford Bridge beyond the summer.
His public remarks forced Liam Rosenior to issue a two-game sanction, forcing him to miss last weekend's FA Cup quarter final against Port Vale and this weekend's Premier League match against Manchester City.
Although the Chelsea squad are believed to want Fernandez on the pitch sooner, Rosenior is unlikely to reverse his decision to drop the Argentine.
There has also been speculation over Marc Cucurella after the Spaniard criticised some of the clubs' decisions, including to dismiss Enzo Maresca at the start of the year.
Cucurella and Fernandez's punishments have been very different, though, and it seems the answer to why lay within their responses to the clubs' plans for next season.
Marc Cucurella excited by Chelsea's summer transfer plans
Rosenior revealed he has spoken to Cucurella privately, and according to BBC Sport, the reason the full-back wasn't handed the same kind of punishment as Fernandez was because he was genuinely apologetic for not raising his concerns to the club first.
It has also been noted that Cucurella is excited by the Blues' plans for this summer and has real belief in what the club can pull off in the next transfer window.
Unfortunately, Fernandez doesn't feel quite the same way and is still itching for a move to Real Madrid.
Chelsea will listen to offers for Fernandez but will demand an eye-watering £100 million in return. It remains to be seen how serious Los Blancos, and other clubs, are about signing the South American.
Time for Enzo Fernandez to move on
Fernandez's time in London since he arrived from Benfica in January 2023 has largely been a disappointment.
He joined off the back of winning the World Cup in the Middle East with Argentina and was considered Europe's next big thing but there is no way the 25-year-old has lived up to his £108.6 million price tag.
Averaging almost one goal contribution every three games, Fernandez's lack of creativity hasn't been the only problem. More often than not, he has failed to have the impacts needed to drive the team forward.
The midfielder clearly wants out, so if Chelsea can get back most, or all, what they paid for him three years ago, I say take it and run.