Chelsea's new head coach, Liam Rosenior, has thrown a potential lifeline to exiled duo Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi, confirming he will hold direct talks with the players in the coming days. The pair, who cost a combined £86 million, have been training separately from the first-team squad and were part of the so-called 'bomb squad' under the previous regime.
The Exile and the Potential Escape
Both Sterling and Disasi are currently undergoing training sessions at different times, on a separate pitch and in a different building from their teammates. This arrangement has been in place since the summer for Sterling, after he was informed he was not in former manager Enzo Maresca's plans. Despite being on the transfer list, both players turned down potential loan moves during the last window, leaving their futures in limbo.
Addressing the situation, the 41-year-old Rosenior stated: "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." He emphasised the need for discussions with the club as well, noting it was a priority on his list.
Sterling's Stance and Contractual Reality
The situation surrounding Raheem Sterling is particularly complex. The 30-year-old winger, who joined from Manchester City in 2022, still has two years remaining on a contract worth over £300,000 per week. After a frustrating loan spell at Arsenal last season, where he scored just once in 28 appearances, he rejected summer approaches from clubs including Napoli, Bayern Munich, and several London sides.
Daily Mail Sport reported that Sterling's preference was to remain in London to be near his children, with Fulham and Crystal Palace previously linked. However, he was reportedly open to moving elsewhere for the right opportunity. More recently, West Ham have discussed a loan move, but Sterling is understood to favour a permanent transfer. To maintain his fitness during his exile, he has been working privately with a performance team led by Ben Rosenblatt.
Rosenior's Philosophy and January Priorities
The new Chelsea boss signalled a patient approach to the January transfer window, suggesting answers may lie within the current squad. "The first conversation I had with the guys was I want to assess the most important players, which are the ones who are here," Rosenior explained. "Normally you get good surprises if you give people a chance."
He added, "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." This philosophy indicates that Sterling and Disasi could yet be reintegrated, offering a dramatic turnaround from their current peripheral status. A decision on their immediate futures, and on potential new signings, is expected later this week after Rosenior completes his initial assessments.
