In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through Cobham, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has brutally axed senior stars Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi from his first-team plans. The pair have been ordered to train with the club's development squad indefinitely, a clear signal they have no future under the new Italian manager.
The dramatic fall from grace for Sterling, once a cornerstone of the Chelsea project, and World Cup finalist Disasi, underscores Maresca's ruthless determination to mould the squad in his image. The decision was communicated to the players after they were deemed not to fit the specific tactical and physical demands of Maresca's system.
A New Sherriff in Town
Maresca's methods have been described as intense and meticulous, with a heavy emphasis on possession-based, positional play. Sources close to the training ground suggest the former Leicester City manager is prioritising players who can execute his complex instructions with robotic precision.
This has left experienced campaigners like Sterling and Disasi on the outside looking in. The banishment is not labelled a disciplinary measure, but rather a stark footballing decision, highlighting the cut-throat nature of elite management.
What Next for the Exiles?
The future for both players at Stamford Bridge appears bleak. A January exit now seems inevitable for Sterling, whose mammoth wages will complicate any potential transfer. Disasi, a £38m signing just last year, faces a similarly uncertain path, with a loan move away possibly his best route back to first-team football.
This bold gambit from Maresca is a huge early test of his authority. While it demonstrates a clear break from the past, he will be acutely aware that results on the pitch are the only thing that will truly justify such a hardline approach with high-profile players.
