Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca has told Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi that their struggles at Stamford Bridge are nothing compared to the tough life his father endured as a fisherman. Speaking at a press conference, Maresca drew a sharp comparison:My father is 75 years old and for 50 years he has been a fisherman, working from two oclock in the morning until 10 in the morning. That is a hard life. Not for players. 
Sterling, 30, remains Chelseas highest-paid player on more than 300,000 a week but has been exiled from the first team, training alone at Cobham with no path back into the squad. Disasi, 27, finds himself in the same situation, though on a smaller wage and with a contract that runs until 2029. The Professional Footballers Association has raised concerns, ensuring both players still have proper facilities as they wait for the January transfer window. Sterling recently broke his silence, posting a late-night training picture on Instagram, highlighting the lonely reality of life in Chelseas so-called bomb squad. Maresca, however, downplayed suggestions of unfair treatment:Ive been in Raheems and Axels situation as a player, and I know its not the best feeling. But this happens at every club in the world. If you are not involved in the squad, you are simply not involved.Sterling has yet to play a game under Maresca. His last Chelsea appearance was in May 2024, under Mauricio Pochettino, before spending a loan spell at Arsenal where he failed to replicate his Manchester City form.The wingers exclusion has sparked debate in English football, with some calling it disrespectful given his decorated career four Premier League titles, five League Cups, an FA Cup, and 82 England caps. The post My fisherman father has a hard life, not youChelsea manager Enzo Maresca tells Raheem Sterling after 300k-a-week outcast posted about training alone at night appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.