Enzo Maresca issues official response as PFA investigate Chelsea conduct

Cameron Smith

Updated: 19 Sept 2025 11:44 BST
5 min read

Enzo Maresca has issued an official response following news that the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) are investigating Chelsea over their treatment of ‘Bomb Squad’ members Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi.

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Sterling and Disasi were both deemed surplus to requirements by the Chelsea hierarchy after returning from loan spells away in 2024-25, but they were unable to secure a transfer away from Stamford Bridge.

Current ETV

Raheem Sterling

F, AM (R), M (L)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

F, AM (R), M (L)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€10.6M - €13M

Enzo Maresca’s side were determined to offload both players before the end of Transfer Deadline Day, however this failed to materialise and the duo were forced to remain with the west London giants until at least January.

Sterling and Disasi have been forced to train away from Chelsea’s senior squad since returning for pre-season, and the PFA have now launched an investigation into the Blues’ treatment of the pair, as revealed by BBC Sport.

The PFA reportedly wants to ensure that Chelsea have provided Sterling and Disasi with the “platform to train to an optimum level” despite the fact that Maresca has made it clear they will not be reintegrated into his preferred squad.

Enzo Maresca comments on Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi situation

During his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Manchester United on Saturday evening, Maresca was questioned about the PFA’s investigation into the treatment of Sterling and Disasi.

“I've been in Raheem’s situation and Axel’s situation as a player,” he admitted in response. “I know it’s not the best feeling for a player because if you are a player that means that you want to train and play a game.

© IMAGO - Axel Disasi was sent on loan to Aston Villa in January

“For different reasons, the situation is the situation that it is in this moment. I know that the club is giving them the opportunity to work in the right way and this is the only thing I can say.”

He added: “I know that it's something that you like and you want 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 club in the world.

“When, for any reason, the player and the club doesn't find any solution and you give the player all the tools to do training sessions and to do everything, but if you are not involved in the squad you are not involved in the squad.

“Again, I know that it's something that you like to talk about but it's not about Chelsea, it's about any club in the world.”

When asked about the impact their exclusion may be having on their mental health, Maresca replied: “My father is 75 years old and for 50 years he has been a fisherman, working from 2 o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock in the morning. This is hard in life, not a player, the way they work.”

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