The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is holding talks with Chelsea regarding the treatment of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, who have been excluded from the first-team squad.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has opened discussions with Chelsea about the treatment of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, two players who have been frozen out of the first-team picture.
Sterling, 30, and Disasi, 27, have been training separately from the senior squad after head coach Enzo Maresca made it clear they are not part of his immediate plans.
Sterling has just under two years left on his contract, worth around £325,000 per week, while Disasi’s contract expires in 2029. Despite both players being linked with departures during the summer transfer window, neither move materialized. It’s now unlikely that either player will feature for Chelsea before January, when the transfer window re-opens.
The PFA’s intervention comes amid concerns over the potential isolation of players from squads, which could be considered “abusive conduct” under FIFA regulations. This could entitle individuals to terminate their contracts citing “just cause”.
The PFA is pushing for assurances that both players can continue to train at a high standard despite being excluded from first-team involvement.
Chelsea has assigned specific training times and designated a coach to work with Sterling and Disasi at the club’s Surrey base.
The Blues are working closely with the PFA to ensure fair treatment, and it’s understood that the club presented Sterling with potential moves to Bayern Munich and Napoli over the summer. However, Sterling reportedly stayed due to his desire to remain in the south of England and not uproot his family, particularly since his son is enrolled in Arsenal’s academy.
Both Sterling and Disasi spent time on loan away from Chelsea last season, with Sterling joining Arsenal and Disasi moving to Aston Villa.
Their return to Chelsea has seen them excluded from Maresca’s plans, with the expectation that they’ll leave the club in the January transfer window.
The outcome of the PFA’s talks with Chelsea could set a precedent for how sidelined players are treated in the Premier League. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Chelsea will manage the cases of Sterling and Disasi, two high-profile players who find themselves out of favor with the club’s current management.
