Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi could both be offered a way out of Chelsea’s so-called ‘bomb squad’, with new head coach Liam Rosenior confirming he plans to hold talks with the pair in the coming days.
Both Sterling and Axel Disasi, who joined during the 2023-24 season for £47.5million and £38.5m respectively, are currently training at different times on a separate pitch and in a separate building from the first-team squad.
The pair also remain on the transfer list and turned down potential loan moves over the summer.
Asked about Sterling and Disasi, the 41-year-old Englishman said: ‘I will have conversations with them. We’re in January, as you know.
‘Raheem’s had an outstanding career. I’ve got huge respect for him. Axel is someone I’ve really, really liked as a player for a long time.
‘Honestly, I have to have a conversation with them. I have to have a conversation with the club. I’m being genuinely honest. I literally have got to work through a list of priorities. I will do in the next few days.’
Sterling and Disasi could be handed an escape from Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ by Rosenior
The Chelsea boss said he will ‘have a conversation’ with Sterling and Disasi and the club
Sterling has been training away from Chelsea’s senior squad since the summer after being told he was not part of former manager Enzo Maresca’s plans.
The 30-year-old, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022, has two years left on a contract worth more than £300,000 a week.
Sterling’s exile followed a frustrating loan spell at Arsenal last season, where he made 28 appearances in all competitions but only 13 from the start, scoring once.
He turned down summer approaches from Napoli, Bayern Munich and several London clubs.
Daily Mail Sport reported at the time that it was no secret his preference was to stay in London closer to his children with Fulham and Crystal Palace among those previously linked, but he would have likely moved out of the capital if the right opportunity had been offered.
In the end, it was felt that other players’ futures were prioritised ahead of the England international’s, and his situation was shrouded in uncertainty heading into deadline day – much like like the previous summer when his season-long loan to Arsenal was rushed through at the eleventh hour.
The winger continues to work privately with a performance team led by Ben Rosenblatt, formerly of the England set-up, to maintain fitness.
Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this month that West Ham have discussed a loan move for Sterling, but the 31-year-old only wants a permanent switch.
Sterling revealed the brutal reality of life in Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ via a post on Instagram
Chelsea are usually active in every transfer window but have had a slow start to January following the managerial change.
On potential signings, Rosenior added: ‘The first conversation I had with the guys (the club’s hierarchy) was I want to assess the most important players, which are the ones who are here. 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 sometimes the answers lie within the building and not outside. So I’ll make a decision on that with the guys. Probably later in the week when I’ve seen everyone.’
