Maresca Defends Decision to Isolate Sterling and Disasi at Chelsea
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended his decision to isolate Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi from the first-team squad, insisting the players have no reason to complain about their current situation.
The pair failed to secure transfers before the summer deadline, leaving them frozen out at Stamford Bridge and placed in what has been described as Chelsea’s “bomb squad.” Reports suggest they now train and eat separately from the main squad, a move that has attracted the attention of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
Maresca, however, argued that the club has provided them with the right conditions to train and prepare, despite their exclusion. Speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United, he explained that such situations are common across football.
“I’ve been in Raheem’s situation and Axel’s situation as a player. I know it’s not the best feeling, because if you’re a player, you want to train and play. But for different reasons, the situation is what it is. The club is allowing them to work in the right way, and this is all I can say,” Maresca told reporters.
The Italian coach also emphasized that the issue is not unique to Chelsea. “It’s something you like to talk about, but it’s not just Chelsea. It’s any club in the world—Italy, Spain, England, France, USA, Brazil. When a player and the club don’t find a solution, if you’re not involved in the squad, you’re not involved in the squad,” he added.
FIFA regulations allow players in such conditions to appeal if the treatment is deemed abusive, potentially enabling early contract termination. Despite this, Chelsea reportedly explored moves for Sterling to Bayern Munich and Napoli, though the winger chose to remain in England for family reasons.
Sterling, who spent last season on loan at Arsenal, has two years left on his contract, while Disasi, signed from Monaco in 2023, has four years remaining and had a loan spell at Aston Villa. Maresca made it clear he has little sympathy for their situation, comparing it to his father’s hard life as a fisherman. “This is sad in life, not the way they are working here,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, winger Alejandro Garnacho is expected to make his full debut against Manchester United, his former club, at Old Trafford this weekend. Maresca said the young Argentine is ready for the challenge, adding that handling hostile receptions is part of professional football.
Chelsea now face the test of balancing squad dynamics as they prepare for a crucial Premier League encounter, while questions continue to swirl over Sterling and Disasi’s futures.
