Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi could get a chance to work their way back into the Chelsea first team under new manager Liam Rosenior. The pair have been out of the main squad for months. Now Rosenior has said he plans to sit down with both players soon to talk about their futures at the club.
Rosenior took over at Chelsea just over a week ago. He came from Strasbourg after Enzo Maresca left. The new boss has started with a win in the FA Cup. He made a few changes but kept most of the same ideas on the pitch. Off the pitch, he seems ready to handle some unfinished business from the old regime.
Sterling and Disasi ended up on the outside last year. They trained away from the first team for a while. Sterling, who earns a big wage, spent time on loan at Arsenal earlier. He came back but never really got going again.
Disasi arrived from Monaco with good reviews but lost his place in defence. Both players stayed at Chelsea past the summer window. No moves happened in the end.
Rosenior spoke about it openly. He called Sterling an outstanding winger with a great career. He said he respects what the player has done in the game. The manager promised talks with both men now that the January window is open. He wants to see where things stand. Nothing is decided yet. A lot depends on those conversations.
Chelsea sit in a decent spot in the league. They have young players coming through and some big signings from recent years. The defence has looked solid at times. Attack still needs work in certain games.
Sterling could help there if he gets fit and sharp. He brings speed and experience on the wing. Disasi offers height and strength at centre-back. The squad has depth, but injuries always happen.
Fans have mixed opinions. Some want to see Sterling get another go. He showed quality in spells before. Others think it is time to move on and free up wages. The same goes for Disasi. Social media filled up fast when Rosenior mentioned the talks. Many supporters hope the new manager can sort things out fairly.
Rosenior knows these situations from his time at other clubs. He managed Hull City and then Strasbourg. He built teams with clear ideas and gave players chances. At Chelsea, the job is bigger. Pressure comes quick. Handling the squad well matters as much as tactics.
No one knows yet if Sterling or Disasi will stay long-term. Loans could still happen this month. Clubs in England and abroad have asked about them before. West Ham showed interest at one point. Italian teams too. But Rosenior might see a role for them in his plans.
The players have stayed professional through it all. They kept training even when left out. Sterling posted gym work online sometimes. Disasi spoke about wanting to play more. A fresh start with a new voice in charge could change things.
Chelsea train most days at Cobham. The next games come thick and fast. League matches and cups keep everyone busy. If the talks go well, one or both could appear on the bench soon.
Rosenior has a long contract. He wants to build something steady. Part of that means getting the whole squad on board. Sterling and Disasi still have years left in them. At 30 and 27, they can contribute if things click.
This story will run for a few more weeks at least. January windows bring surprises. For now, the door looks open a crack. Whether they walk through depends on the next steps.
