Poyet, speaking to Football Presse on behalf of William Hill, said: “I didn’t like it — not as a football player and not as a coach. I didn’t.”
Fernández has come under scrutiny after speaking to Argentine media in recent weeks about a potential future move to Real Madrid — comments that led to internal disciplinary action from Chelsea.
For Poyet, the issue is not simply what was said, but how the club chose to deal with it.
“They could have just kept him out if that was their decision,” he said. “I don’t know why it had to be made so public.”
The Uruguayan also pointed to similar comments made by teammates Marc Cucurella and Moisés Caicedo — questioning why Fernández had been singled out.
“I understand Spanish, I saw the interviews,” he said.
“There were three different ones — Enzo, Cucurella, Caicedo — and there is no big difference between them.
“So why is only Enzo the problem? There is something there that we don’t know.”
While Poyet accepts that discipline is part of management, he believes the public nature of the situation creates unnecessary complications.
“If you ask any coach, they will tell you it’s normal to manage situations like this,” he said.
“But once you make it public, every decision after becomes a problem.”
He warned that Chelsea now face a difficult balancing act with a player of Fernández’s stature.
“You don’t play him, you lose a £100 million player,” Poyet said.
“You play him, and people ask questions because of what has happened.”
For Poyet, the modern game — amplified by media and scrutiny — leaves little room for controlled handling once situations escalate publicly.
“It creates consequences where nobody wins,” he said.
“I respect the decision of the club and the coach — but it’s very difficult to control once it’s out there.”
Ultimately, he believes the focus must shift back to the player’s response.
“I hope Enzo takes it the right way, calms down and looks to the future,” he said.
But Poyet admitted he does not envy those inside the dressing room navigating the fallout.
“I’m pleased I’m not there today,” he added.