ESPN: Chelsea teams up with PFA to get Sterling and DiSassi training

ESPN reported that Chelsea is working closely with the Professional Football Players Association (PFA) on how the club handles Sterling and DiSassi.

Both players are currently away from the first team training after being told that there is no future at Stamford Bridge. Sterling, 30, joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £47.5 million in July 2022, becoming the first signing of Burleigh and Qinghu Capital after taking over, with two years left in his five-year contract. The 27-year-old DiSassi transferred from Monaco for £38.5 million in August 2023, with the contract valid until June 2029.

Both players were loaned out last season, and although both of them were included in the transfer list this summer, they failed to leave the team successfully. Sources said Naples and Bayern Munich had tried to sign Sterling, but the proposal was not completed because the London local player wanted to stay in his hometown to accompany his young children.

With Sterling and DiSassi still staying with the team after the transfer window closed on September 1, their desire to return to the Maresca squad has not come true and are currently scheduled to practice separately from the first team. Sources said Chelsea and PFA are working together to ensure that the two players can maintain normal training and get game time at the Cobham training base. The club also appointed them exclusive coaches to ensure that they can leave the team smoothly when the transfer window reopens in January next year.

ESPN declined to comment when contacted by Chelsea with PFA.