Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ has been in the news this week as the PFA have raised concerns.
Ahead of Chelsea’s away trip to Old Trafford this weekend, Enzo Maresca was asked about the news that emerged on Thursday night regarding Axel Disasi and Raheem Sterling.
The PFA have contacted Chelsea over the situation. Sterling and Disasi were on the chopping block this summer, but no moves had materialised by the time the window shut.
Since then, they haven’t been training with the squad, and there are concerns over whether their contracts are being upheld.
Enzo Maresca responds to PFA contact over Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi
Maresca’s pre-match press conference took place on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after the PFA news broke.
Naturally, the Chelsea boss was pressed for a response, and he gave one.
As Bobby Vincent reports for Football London, Maresca said: “I’ve been in Raheem’s situation and Axel’s situation as a player. I know it is not the best feeling.
“You want to play games but for different reasons, the situation is the way it is at the moment. The club is giving them the opportunity to work in the right way. That’s all I can say.”
Maresca wants to point out that this isn’t a unique situation, continuing: “It’s not just Chelsea, it’s every club in the world.
“When for any reason, the player and the club does not find any solution; you give the player the tools to train but if you are not involved in the squad, you are not involved in the squad.”
The PFA’s concerns have clearly done little to dissuade Maresca, who would rather focus on the weekend’s away trip.
Enzo Maresca cautious of Man United despite poor form
While United look far from their best at present, this fixture is always difficult for the Blues.
Chelsea haven’t won at Old Trafford since 2013 when Juan Mata bagged an 87th-minute winner. Since then, ‘The Theatre of Dreams’ has been a nightmare destination for the London side.
Maresca isn’t going into this one with any complacency, as he explains: “I think it’s always difficult to play United away at their stadium. Now is not the right moment, next year or last year, it is always difficult.”
He even suggests that their recent results don’t tell the full story: “Some of the games they have played this season is not the real result, even the City game. It will be a tough game, no doubt.”
A tough game, and an exciting one.
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