Maresca defends Chelsea stance as Sterling and Disasi train apart

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca defended his handling of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi after they trained separately from the first team, saying their plight should not be confused with the hard lives faced by others and that the January transfer window adds a layer of complexity to the situation.

Maresca was asked about Sterling and Disasi at Friday’s press conference, with the Chelsea boss stressing that players want to train and compete with their teammates but acknowledging the reality that not every squad decision is popular. He said, "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 a hard life. Not for players." The remark framed Maresca’s view that personal hardship is not comparable to the pressures faced by top-level professionals.

Sterling, who is 30, remains under contract for two more years and is Chelsea’s highest-paid player, reportedly earning more than £300,000 a week. Disasi, 27, is believed to earn around a third of Sterling’s salary and is tied to Chelsea through 2029. Maresca indicated he has been in Sterling’s position before and suggested that the dynamic of training away from the squad is emotionally challenging for a professional player who strives to contribute on the field. "I know that it's not the best feeling for a player because if you are a player, that means that you want to train and play games. The situation is the situation. It’s not just Chelsea, it’s any club in the world," Maresca said.

Sterling publicly acknowledged the ongoing tension surrounding his status earlier this week, posting a photo on Instagram of himself training under the Cobham lights at 8:21 p.m. last week. The post underscored the emotional distance between the players and the first-team setup as Chelsea navigates a period of uncertainty ahead of the January window.

The involvement of the Professional Footballers’ Association has grown as talks continue over how players should be accommodated when they are not in the starting lineup or rotation, and how clubs balance development, squad harmony, and potential departures during the transfer window. The union’s engagement signals a broader push to ensure players have a constructive training platform while contract and value disputes are resolved.

Maresca also stressed that the issue is not an isolated Chelsea matter. He cautioned that every club faces similar realities when negotiations drag on or when players and clubs fail to reach an agreement over playing time, duties, or future plans. He reiterated that his job is to manage the squad and help players stay prepared, regardless of roster changes.

Chelsea’s current situation highlights the delicate balance clubs must strike between maintaining competitive standards and managing financial or contractual disagreements that can keep players away from the first team. As the January window approaches, the club–as well as Sterling, Disasi, and their representatives–will continue to navigate the best path forward, with public messaging likely to evolve in the coming weeks.