My fisherman father has 'a hard life', not Raheem Sterling, says Enzo Maresca as Chelsea boss discusses exiled player

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Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi have both been frozen out of the Chelsea squad under Enzo Maresca. The pair have been training away from the first-team players and are not part of The Blues manager's plans. Maresca says he is aware it is "not the best feeling for a player" but has said it is not a "hard life" compared to his 75-year-old father, who works as a fisherman.

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Enzo Maresca has appeared to show little sympathy towards the plight of Chelsea outcasts Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, saying they do not have "a hard life" compared to his fisherman father.

Sterling and Disasi have been frozen out at Chelsea under Maresca and have trained separately from the first-team squad.

It has been reported that the Professional Footballers' Association have been in talks with Chelsea over the handling of the duo and ensuring they are still able to train to an optimum level.

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"I've been in Raheem's and Axel's situation as a player," said Chelsea manager Maresca.

"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.

"It’s something you like 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 country in the world. For any reason the player and the club doesn’t find a solution, if you are not involved in the squad, you are not involved in the squad."

It has been reported by PA that Maresca has not seen or spoken to Sterling or Disasi this season and the pair have been kept entirely separate from the team.

Sterling was linked with a transfer in the summer but a move did not materialise.

Asked about the challenges Sterling and Disasi are dealing with, Maresca said: "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."

FIFA has regulations over the treatment of players who are isolated from squads and making players train alone could constitute 'abusive conduct' by the club.

Sterling is reportedly one of Chelsea’s highest-earning players and is under contract until 2027, while Disasi's contract expires in 2029.

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New signing Alejandro Garnacho could make his first start for Chelsea against former side Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Garnacho has so far made two substitute appearances since joining Chelsea.

"We are happy with the way he’s adapting to our style, what we want from our wingers," said Maresca. "I think he’s ready to start tomorrow."

Chelsea were beaten 3-1 in their UEFA Champions League league phase opener against Bayern Munich in midweek.

Cole Palmer scored for Chelsea and saw a second goal ruled out for offside.

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