The Professional Footballers’ Association has spoken with Chelsea about Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, who are both surplus to needs at Stamford Bridge.
GIVEMESPORT has learnt that PFA CEO Maheta Molango directly intervened when Sterling shared a photo of him training after 8 p.m.
Head coach Enzo Maresca has made it clear that Sterling and Disasi are not in his plans, saying: “It’s not only Chelsea; it’s every team in the world. When a player and a club are unable to reach an agreement, you provide the player with training materials, but if you are not a member of the squad, you are not.
Sterling and Disasi have a personal training regime.
Chelsea is providing Sterling and Disasi with a personal training plan to give them the best opportunity of moving in January or next summer.
GMS recognises that Sterling’s social media post depicting training after hours does not accurately reflect the current situation. Although he works at different times than the first team squad, he is not limited to late-night training.
According to PFA sources, they had a cordial chat with Chelsea, and GMS has been informed that they are satisfied with Sterling and Disasi’s training circumstances, but will continue to monitor the situation to ensure both have the greatest possible chance of a transfer in 2026.
The PFA’s intervention comes after Sterling and Disasi, who were loaned to Arsenal and Aston Villa last season, were unable to find new clubs this summer.
Sterling, 30, has just under two years left on his current contract and is paid approximately £325,000 per week. His preference is to remain in London, particularly as his son is now a member of Arsenal’s academy, but a move to Fulham fell through in the final days of the transfer window.
Napoli, Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Galatasaray were also said to be interested in Sterling, but no deal was made with any of the four clubs.
Disasi’s contract expires in 2029. Bournemouth held conversations about signing the 29-year-old French defender, while Saudi club NEOM SC also made an offer.
Both players decided to stay, and it is unlikely that either will play for the first team before the January transfer window begins.
The PFA wants to ensure that FIFA’s standards regarding isolated players are followed, and it will work with Sterling and Disasi to ensure that they are provided the best possible conditions.
Maresca appreciates the difficult situation for the duo.
Maresca acknowledges that both players are having a difficult few months ahead of their expected departures, but he insists that Chelsea is doing everything possible to support them.
“My father is 75 years old and for 50 years, he’s been a fisherman working from two in the morning until 10 in the morning,” Maresca told me. “It’s a hard existence. The way the players work makes it not as difficult.
“I’ve been in Raheem and Axel’s situation as a player, and I know it’s not a good feeling. For many reasons, the situation remains the same. All I can say is that the club is providing them the opportunities to work properly.”
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