Chelsea Manager Maresca Dismisses Sterling, Disasi Concerns Amid Training Exclusion

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has defended the club's treatment of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, who are training separately from the first team after failing to secure transfers during the summer window. Maresca compared their situation to the hard life of his 75-year-old father, a fisherman who worked long hours, suggesting that the players' circumstances are less challenging than manual labor. Despite the criticism and concerns about the players' mental health, Maresca emphasized that Chelsea is providing them with adequate training facilities and coaching, and noted that such situations are common in clubs worldwide when a player is not part of the squad. The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has engaged with Chelsea to ensure Sterling and Disasi are properly supported during this period. Sterling, Chelsea's highest-paid player, has not featured competitively since Maresca took over and spent last season on loan, while Disasi also spent time on loan after struggling for game time. Maresca acknowledged the difficult feelings involved but affirmed that if no solution is found, players are given all tools to train, yet they remain outside the squad until circumstances change.