‘HARD LIFE IS BEING A FISHERMAN, NOT A FOOTBALLER’ – MARESCA PLAYS DOWN STERLING, DISASI EXILE

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has brushed aside sympathy for sidelined duo Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, insisting that professional footballers cannot compare their struggles to the daily grind of ordinary workers.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Manchester United, Maresca confirmed that both players remain frozen out of his first-team squad despite pressure from the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), which is monitoring their treatment under FIFA’s regulations on ‘abusive conduct.’

“I’ve been in Raheem’s and Axel’s situation as a player,” the Italian explained. “It’s not the best feeling, but they’ve been given the facilities to work properly. Still, let’s be real, my father is 75 and has spent half a century fishing from 2am to 10am every day. That’s a hard life, not what footballers face.”

Sterling, 30, earns £325,000 per week and has two years left on his deal. Despite interest from Juventus, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen, he opted to stay in London this summer for family reasons. Arsenal and Fulham both passed on the chance to sign him.

Disasi, meanwhile, wanted a loan move back to Monaco but no deal materialised. Interest from Bournemouth, Sunderland and West Ham collapsed before the transfer deadline, leaving the France international contracted to Chelsea until 2029 but out of Maresca’s plans.

Maresca was blunt: “If you’re not in the squad, you’re not in the squad. It’s not just Chelsea, this happens at every club.”

On a brighter note, the Blues boss confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho is “ready to start” against his former side United. The Argentine, signed for £40m in August, has only made two substitute appearances since his arrival.

The 21-year-old left Old Trafford under a cloud after clashing with coach Ruben Amorim, who banished him from training with the senior group following last season’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

Maresca acknowledged Garnacho could face a hostile reception on Saturday but urged him to embrace it: “The same thing happened to Cucurella against Bayern Munich, it’s part of football. Players have to learn to endure these situations.”

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