Enzo Maresca Fires Back and Defends Chelsea's 'Bomb Squad'.

In a fiery pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Manchester United, manager Enzo Maresca addressed the ongoing saga of Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi's exile to the club's so-called "Bomb Squad" at Cobham.

The Italian tactician, known for his pragmatic approach, drew on personal anecdotes—including a poignant story about his father's gruelling life as a fisherman—to downplay the controversy, insisting the practice is commonplace across global football.

Maresca's comments come amid growing scrutiny over how Chelsea handles players deemed surplus to requirements. With Sterling and Disasi failing to secure summer transfers, they've been training separately from the first-team squad, using different pitches, gyms, and even dressing rooms. The situation has even drawn the attention of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA), which is monitoring the players' welfare.

Juiciest quote from Enzo Maresca when asked on those training separately to his first team: "My father is 75 years old and for 50 years, he's been a fisherman, working from 2 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock. This is a hard life. Not for players.”

— Kieran Gill (@kierangill_DM) September 19, 2025

Enzo Maresca's Fisherman Analogy: Putting Football's Hardships in Perspective

When pressed on the duo's separate training regime, Maresca didn't shy away from the human element but framed it within the harsh realities of professional sport. He began by invoking a powerful personal story to highlight the relative privileges of elite athletes:

"My father is 75 years old and for 50 years, he's been a fisherman, working from 2 o’clock in the morning to 10 o’clock. This is a hard life. Not for players.”

“I know it's something you like to talk about but it's not about Chelsea, it's about any club in the world.”

The fisherman analogy underscores Maresca's perspective: while players face emotional and professional hardships, they pale in comparison to "real-world" labours. He reiterated that Chelsea is providing Sterling and Disasi with dedicated coaches and facilities to maintain their fitness, potentially paving the way for January moves.

Maresca's Empathy for Sterling and Disasi: "I've Been in Their Situation"

A former midfielder who played for clubs like Leicester and Sevilla, Maresca empathized deeply with the players' plight, drawing from his own experiences on the fringes:

"I've been in Raheem and Axel's situation as a player. For sure, I know it's not the best feeling. You want to train and play games. The situation is the situation for different reasons. I know the club is giving them the opportunity to work in the right way..."

"It's not just #Chelsea, it's any club in the world. For any reason the player and the club don't find a solution you give the player all the tools to train and do everything. If you are not in the squad, you are not in the squad. It's not about Chelsea..."

Yet, he views it as an industry norm, not a Chelsea-specific "cruelty." His broader point? Football's cutthroat nature mirrors life. "Any club in the world," from Serie A to MLS, side-lines players when alignments falter. Chelsea's approach, he argues, is supportive—offering "all the tools to train"—rather than punitive.

The PFA's involvement adds weight, ensuring mental health and training standards are upheld. Sources indicate the union is satisfied with Chelsea's provisions but will keep tabs through the season.

Maresca's Empathy: From Player to Manager

A former midfielder who played for clubs like West Brom and Sevilla, Maresca empathized deeply: "I've been in Raheem's situation and Axel's situation as a player... You want to train and play games." Yet, he views it as an industry norm, not a Chelsea-specific "cruelty."

His broader point? Football's cutthroat nature mirrors life. "Any club in the world," from Serie A to MLS, side-lines players when alignments falter. Chelsea's approach, he argues, is supportive—offering "all the tools to train"—rather than punitive.

The PFA's involvement adds weight, ensuring mental health and training standards are upheld. Sources indicate the union is satisfied with Chelsea's provisions but will keep tabs through the season.

Implications for Sterling, Disasi, and Chelsea's Season

For Sterling and Disasi, the road ahead looks bleak under Maresca. With no "way back" to the first team, a January exit seems inevitable—though high salaries and form concerns could complicate deals. Disasi's versatility might attract mid-table suitors, while Sterling's experience could lure a Saudi Pro League club.

Chelsea, meanwhile, sit unbeaten in the Premier League (bar a Champions League loss to Bayern Munich) and eye a statement win at Old Trafford—their first since 2013. Maresca's focus remains on squad harmony, with Cole Palmer's groin doubt the bigger headache.

This "Bomb Squad" drama underscores Chelsea's ruthless rebuild under Todd Boehly, but Maresca's measured tone suggests a manager unafraid to confront tough truths. As he put it, it's football—not fishing—but the parallels remind us: every profession has its storms.