Enzo Maresca: Life Harder for My Dad Than Chelsea’s Exiled Stars

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has downplayed sympathy for Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, insisting his father’s life as a fisherman was tougher than the challenges faced by excluded players.

The Blues have come under scrutiny after isolating Sterling and Disasi from first-team training, with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) in contact with the club to ensure the duo maintain professional training standards. FIFA regulations prohibit treatment that could be construed as “abusive conduct”, potentially allowing players to terminate contracts if not properly supported.

But Maresca, who took charge at Stamford Bridge this summer, rejected suggestions that the pair’s situation is especially harsh. “I’ve been in Raheem’s and Axel’s situation as a player. For sure, I know it is not the best feeling for a player. For different reasons, the situation is the situation at the moment, but I know the club is giving them the situation to work in the right way,” he told reporters.

When asked if isolation might be mentally difficult for Sterling and Disasi, the Italian responded: “My father is 75 years old and for 50 years he’s been a fisherman, working from two o’clock in the morning till 10 o’clock in the morning. This is a hard life – not the way a player works.”

Sterling, 30, was widely expected to depart Chelsea during the summer window, with Juventus, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen all expressing interest. However, the forward opted to remain in London for family reasons despite having under two years left on his £325,000-per-week contract.

Disasi, meanwhile, pursued a loan return to former club Monaco but no deal materialised. Late moves to Bournemouth, Sunderland and West Ham also collapsed before the transfer deadline. With his contract running until 2029, the 26-year-old France international is left in limbo.

Maresca was clear about his stance: “When no solution is found, you give the player all the tools to train and do anything, but if you are not in the squad, you are not in the squad. It’s not about Chelsea, it is about any club in the world.”

FootballPlace analyst John William believes Maresca’s comments underline his no-nonsense approach:

“Maresca is clearly intent on setting firm boundaries within the squad. By invoking his father’s example, he’s making the point that professional footballers, even those sidelined, live privileged lives. But the bigger issue for Chelsea is what happens next with Sterling and Disasi. Their wages and contracts mean they cannot simply be ignored indefinitely. Garnacho’s situation is more straightforward: Maresca will hope he brings spark and cutting edge in a huge fixture at Old Trafford.”

Chelsea face Manchester United on Saturday with Garnacho likely to make headlines against his former club. A positive performance would provide Maresca with a timely lift after off-field controversies.

Longer term, Sterling and Disasi’s futures remain unresolved. Unless January offers arrive, Chelsea could face months of tension with two high-profile names outside the squad. Maresca’s uncompromising stance may win him respect in the dressing room, but it also risks becoming a major distraction.

👉 Do you agree with Maresca that footballers have no right to sympathy compared to real “hard life” jobs?