Chelsea’s recent managerial shake-up has thrown the future of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi into uncertainty.
Both players, who arrived in the 2023-24 season for significant fees—£47.5 million for Sterling and £38.5 million for Disasi—are currently on the fringes of the first-team squad.
With new head coach Liam Rosenior taking the reins, he has confirmed plans to meet with the two players in the coming days, possibly offering a path forward out of Chelsea’s so-called ‘bomb squad.’
A Step Apart: Training in Isolation
For the time being, Sterling and Disasi are training away from the main group, separately from Chelsea’s first team.
They’re undergoing sessions on a different pitch and in a separate building, with their futures at Stamford Bridge appearing unclear.
Although both players remain on Chelsea’s transfer list, they rejected loan offers during the summer, leaving their next steps in limbo.
Sterling, 30, has found himself particularly isolated since the summer after being told he was no longer part of former manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.
The winger, who made the high-profile move from Manchester City in 2022, has two years left on a hefty contract that reportedly exceeds £300,000 per week.
Sterling’s Struggles: A Frustrating Chapter
It has been a tough period for Sterling, especially after a challenging loan spell at Arsenal last season.
Though he made 28 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, only 13 of those came as a starter, with just a single goal to show for his efforts.
His time in North London was marked by inconsistency, leading to him turning down offers from several clubs over the summer.
Sterling’s preference to remain in London was no secret.
Reports indicated that Fulham, Crystal Palace, and other clubs in the capital had shown interest, but Sterling seemed intent on staying close to his children.
However, when no deal materialized, his future became unclear once again as Chelsea turned its attention to other players’ needs ahead of the summer transfer deadline.
Disasi’s Position: Still in the Mix
Like Sterling, Axel Disasi’s future at Chelsea is now in question.
The French defender had hoped to cement his place in the squad after his move from Monaco, but he too finds himself distanced from the first-team fold.
Rosenior, however, has made it clear that he values Disasi as a player and will have a conversation with him soon to see if there’s a way forward.
The 41-year-old head coach admitted that both players’ situations would be worked through over the next few days, but there are no guarantees about their roles moving forward.
Rosenior’s Approach: Assessing the Squad
Rosenior’s appointment has brought a new sense of focus to the club, especially as the January transfer window remains open.
The new manager is determined to assess the current players before making any decisions about potential new signings.
His priority will be to look within the existing squad for players who could surprise him with their performances.
“I want to assess the most important players, the ones who are here,” Rosenior explained.
“Normally, you get good surprises if you give people a chance.
I had some really, really good surprises in the game against Charlton.
Yes, we’re in January, and yes, we want the club to be as successful as possible in the short term, but I also think the answers lie within the building and not outside.”
This approach suggests that Rosenior is focused on getting the best out of the players already at Chelsea, rather than rushing into the market for new talent.
He plans to make key decisions later in the week once he’s had a chance to evaluate everyone more closely.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
For now, it seems that Sterling and Disasi are left in a holding pattern, waiting for their upcoming talks with Rosenior to determine their next steps.
Chelsea, under new leadership, is in a period of transition, and it remains to be seen whether the two players will find a way back into the first-team fold or be moved on.
Whatever happens, the club’s January window promises to be full of twists and turns as the Blues look to secure a successful future under their new manager.
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