London: Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has downplayed concerns for Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, insisting his father's years as a fisherman represent a far tougher life than that faced by players in the club's so-called 'bomb squad'. Maresca's remarks came after Chelsea held talks with the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) regarding the ongoing exclusion of Sterling and Disasi from his first-team group.

According to Namibia Press Agency, when asked about the pair training apart from the squad, the Italian said: "I've been in Raheem 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." Maresca emphasized his perspective by comparing the players' situation to his father's laborious career as a fisherman, stating that such a life was much harder than that of a football player.

The PFA remains in dialogue with Chelsea to ensure both players can maintain peak fitness despite being sidelined. FIFA regulations strictly prohibit treatment that could amount to 'abusive conduct', which may give a player grounds to terminate a contract on the basis of 'just cause'. Maresca explained that when no solution is found, clubs must provide players with the means to train, but if they are not part of the squad, then that is the situation they face.

Sterling, 30, was widely expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer but still has just under two years left on his 325,000 pounds-a-week deal. Interest came from Juventus, Napoli, and Bayer Leverkusen, yet he chose to remain in London to stay close to his family. Arsenal declined to pursue a permanent move for their former loanee, while Fulham looked elsewhere for wide options.

Disasi, tied to Chelsea until 2029, explored a loan return to Monaco but no formal bid arrived. Moves to Bournemouth, Sunderland, and West Ham were also rejected by the French international or fell through before the transfer deadline earlier this month.