Rosenior Opens Door for Sterling and Disasi at Chelsea
Raheem Sterling could yet revive his Chelsea career after new head coach Liam Rosenior signaled his intention to hold talks with the winger and defender Axel Disasi following their exclusion from first-team activities.
Sterling and Disasi have not trained with the senior squad this season, having been sidelined under former manager Enzo Maresca. Rosenior, appointed to steady Chelsea’s campaign, has confirmed that both players are now under review as he reassesses the club’s internal options.
Sterling’s situation has been particularly stark. Signed from Manchester City for £47.5 million ahead of the 2023–24 season, the former England international slipped down the pecking order and spent the 2024–25 campaign on loan at Arsenal. He has yet to feature this season and has been training separately from the main group alongside Disasi. The French centre-back has not appeared in a league match since January 20, 2025.
Rosenior’s comments mark a notable shift in tone at Stamford Bridge. While working through inherited issues, the new coach has made it clear that conversations with both players are imminent as part of a broader evaluation of the squad during the January window.
Sterling arrives at this crossroads with an extensive résumé, including multiple Premier League titles and a reputation as one of England’s most productive wide forwards of the past decade. Disasi, meanwhile, remains a player Rosenior has admired over several seasons, despite his recent absence from matchday squads.
Chelsea’s training ground atmosphere has reflected a period of transition, with Rosenior seeking to reconnect fragmented pieces of the squad. Early sessions have focused on tempo and structure, while fringe players have been monitored closely as he looks to define his core group.
Off the pitch, interest is building. Napoli are monitoring Sterling’s availability, while Roma and Lyon have made enquiries about Disasi. Any temporary exit is complicated by Chelsea’s loan situation, with the club already at the maximum number of overseas loans permitted unless an existing deal is terminated.
On the pitch, Rosenior has been cautious about external reinforcements. Chelsea made nine senior signings last summer, including Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens, and Estevao Willian, leaving attacking places more competitive than ever. Rosenior has stressed that his first priority is assessing the players already at his disposal, pointing to encouraging performances in the recent FA Cup tie against Charlton as evidence that solutions may lie internally.
The second half of the season now looms large. Chelsea sit eighth in the Premier League, four points off the top four, with a Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal followed by a league clash with Brentford. The fixtures arrive at a moment when clarity over squad roles is becoming increasingly urgent.
Late decisions on Sterling and Disasi could shape Chelsea’s direction over the coming weeks. Rosenior has already underlined his authority in the role, insisting that decisive leadership is essential. Whether that results in reintegration, exits, or a fresh start elsewhere, the coming days are likely to define the futures of two high-profile names at Stamford Bridge.