Enzo Maresca makes decision on letting Chelsea bomb squad back into training

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has made it clear that there is no way back for the club's bomb squad. Out-of-favour stars Raheem Sterling, Axel Disasi and David Datro Fofana are all training separately after failing to secure moves away from the club.

In a harsh message from Maresca, he insists that he will not welcome them back into the team. He also revealed that he hasn't even seen them this season, let alone discussed their futures with them.

Maresca stated: "First of all, they are Chelsea players and have contracts with the club, but at this moment they are still training apart. The idea is to continue in the same way. Since the start of the season I haven't seen them. They train on a different pitch at a different time."

Chelsea have been attempting to reduce their oversized squad for months but have had no success in moving the trio. Disasi, who was signed from Monaco for £38.5million in 2023, rejected interest from West Ham and Bournemouth this summer.

Sterling, who earns £325,000-a-week at Chelsea and cost £50m when he transferred from Manchester City in 2022, also failed to secure a move. And Fofana, who hasn't played for the club since May 2023, saw a potential transfer to Charlton fall through.

None of them will be playing against Brentford this weekend and it appears none of them have any future at Stamford Bridge either.

When asked if there was any way back into his squad for them now that the transfer window is closed, Maresca responded: "No."

Chelsea have begun the campaign with two victories and one draw but face fitness concerns with Cole Palmer remaining doubtful.

The England star and crucial player trained this week for the first time but as of Friday morning had not yet participated in a complete session.

Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap are also unavailable for what marks Chelsea's fourth London derby of the season already.

Maresca's squad were slapped with 74 charges by the Football Association over alleged rule violations concerning payments to agents this week.

The charges concerned transfers under a former ownership structure, all occurring before the Italian's appointment.

However, despite the potential threat of a points penalty as a consequence, Maresca maintains the matter will not distract his squad.

He said: "I don't think personally the players are too worried about the situation to be honest. I know from the club that they are satisfied about the situation and the process. I have nothing to add.

"I just focus like I always said, on the pitch. Things I can control. The rest is not in my hands."

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