This is a hard life, not the way a player works' Enzo Maresca hits back with his fisherman father's plight as PFA probe Chelsea

"For months, the headline story around the Blues has been their seemingly excessive spending and their unquenchable thirst to add a never-ending stream of talent to their squad. The consequences of that, to some extent, are now being felt, with the PFA investigating the treatment of Sterling and Disasi, who have found themselves axed from the first team and are now training separately."

"For sure, I know it is not the best feeling for a player, Maresca admitted, revealing he's been in a similar situation himself during his playing days. For different reasons, the situation is the situation at the moment, but I know the club is giving them the situation to work in the right way. My father is 75 years old, and for 50 years he's been a fisherman, working from two o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock in the morning."

Enzo Maresca dismissed suggestions that Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi are receiving substandard treatment after both players were removed from the first-team squad and now train separately. The Professional Footballers' Association launched an investigation to ensure club practices comply with FIFA rules that require isolated players to have sufficient access to facilities and protection from abusive conduct. Chelsea's recent heavy spending led to an influx of new signings, contributing to the players' exclusion. Maresca acknowledged the situation feels difficult for a player and said he experienced similar circumstances during his playing career. He insisted the club is providing an appropriate environment for the players to work.

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