Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca defends Sterling and Disasi exile, says duo “have no reason to complain”

Enzo Maresca has defended his decision to sideline Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, insisting the Chelsea duo have no grounds to complain about being forced to train separately from the rest of the squad.

Sterling and Disasi were unable to secure transfers before the deadline after falling out of favour with the Blues manager. The Professional Footballers’ Association reportedly contacted Chelsea over the conditions imposed on the pair, who have been consigned to the club’s so-called “bomb squad.”

Both players are currently training and eating at different times to their teammates. Sterling, who had a disappointing loan spell at Arsenal last season, still has two years left on his deal signed in 2022. Disasi, who joined from Monaco in 2023 and spent part of last season on loan at Aston Villa, has four years remaining on his contract.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Manchester United on Saturday, Maresca said:

“I’ve been in Raheem’s situation and Axel’s situation as a player. I know it’s not the best feeling, because as a player you want to train and play. But for different reasons, the situation is what it is in this moment. I know the club is giving them the opportunity to work in the right way, and this is the only thing I can say.

It’s something you like to talk about but it’s not just Chelsea, it’s any club in the world, I can promise you. Italy, Spain, England, France, USA, Brazil—any country in the world. If for any reason the player and the club don’t find a solution, and you’re not involved in the squad, you’re not involved in the squad.”

FIFA rules allow players isolated from their squads in potentially abusive conditions to seek early contract termination. It is understood Chelsea tried to arrange moves for Sterling to Bayern Munich and Napoli this summer, but the 30-year-old preferred to remain in England for family reasons.

Maresca, however, showed little sympathy for the duo, adding:

“My father is 75 years old, and for 50 years he has been a fisherman working from two o’clock in the morning until 10 o’clock in the morning. This is sad in life. Not here the way (Sterling and Disasi) work.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea winger Alejandro Garnacho is set to make his full debut against former club United at Old Trafford this weekend. Asked if the Argentine might face a hostile reception, Maresca said:

“You have to learn to handle these kind of things. We are happy with the way he’s adapting to our style, what we want from our wingers. I think he’s ready to start tomorrow.”

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