Reece James Deal Stokes Fernandez and Cucurella Unrest at Chelsea

Reece James's freshly inked deal may well be at the heart of the discontent brewing within Chelsea's squad, according to former striker Troy Deeney, who has trained his sights on Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella for their recent outbursts.

The Blues sit sixth in the Premier League after winning just once in their last half-dozen matches, having been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and Champions League under Liam Rosenior, who took charge in January following Enzo Maresca's departure.

Fernandez, serving as vice-captain, has been particularly vocal about his future following Chelsea's Champions League exit to PSG. When quizzed by ESPN Argentina, the midfielder suggested uncertainty over his Stamford Bridge future, noting there remained eight league games, the FA Cup, and the World Cup calendar to navigate before any decisions.

The Argentine has also indicated his admiration for Real Madrid, describing how the Spanish capital appeals to him and reminds him of Buenos Aires.

Cucurella similarly broke ranks during the international window, criticising the club's transfer approach and managerial reshuffles. The left-back suggested that an approach from Barcelona would present a proposition difficult to turn down.

Rosenior responded by benching Fernandez after judging his comments had crossed an acceptable line. Whilst Cucurella escaped direct punishment, the manager made clear his disappointment at the defender's remarks.

Deeney's assessment in his Sun column was withering. He characterised both players' behaviour as cowardly, arguing they had exploited the international break to avoid accountability whilst criticising their employers. Rather than facing the English media whilst representing Chelsea, both had instead chosen the shelter of their national team environments to air grievances about Maresca's sacking and the club's direction.

For Deeney, this hardly constitutes leadership from two senior figures. Instead, he viewed it as self-protection dressed up as candour.

The catalyst, Deeney suggested, may lie elsewhere. James, Chelsea's captain and the club's standout performer when fit, recently signed a six-year extension. Yet his availability remains problematic—another hamstring injury has already followed hot on the heels of his new terms.

Over the past two seasons, both Fernandez and Cucurella have featured considerably more regularly than James. That disparity, Deeney contends, may explain their frustration at seeing the skipper rewarded with fresh terms whilst they remain overlooked for similar recognition.

Cucurella did receive improved contract terms last year. However, Fernandez's situation differs. Despite retaining six years on the deal he signed following his £100million-plus transfer from Benfica in 2023, the midfielder's emergence as one of Europe's premier talents has shifted salary expectations.

According to reports, Fernandez's representatives believe he currently earns below his market value—a position Chelsea themselves appear to acknowledge. His rapid development into a top-tier operator has created a gap between his compensation and his standing in the game.