Chelsea legend tells club to treat 'bomb squad' fairly with Enzo Maresca at risk of damaging dressing room over exile of 'popular' Raheem Sterling

The PFA have reportedly been in talks with Chelsea over how they are treating exiled duo Sterling and Disasi but last week, head coach Maresca suggested these players don't have it that bad compared to other professions. But former Blues star Nevin, who played for the club between 1983 and 1988, thinks this is a matter that needs to be delicately handled, else it could backfire.

He told BetIdeas.com: "The PFA is not the main problem. The main problem is bigger than that. Your main problem is if you treat two players like that and the rest of the team sees it, which they will, because it's their mates - and I know players can be selfish and are selfish and have to be selfish - they all know that's what I'm going to get. Now, management doesn't always think along these terms because it's short term. There's a big danger there. And it is a warning. Being on just about every side of the game and seeing it, it can damage spirit. Players are selfish and they take care of themselves. But Raheem Sterling is liked, he's popular within that dressing room. You certainly don't just blank your mates. So Chelsea need to be careful because in the end if they have got these players that are in six, seven, eight year contracts. Nicholas Jackson was the main man. He's great. And then suddenly he's in the bomb squad. And then he's not, ‘We want you back in’. So be careful because everybody now knows that's what happens. I promise you that's dangerous. When you treat workers like that, the other workers know this. Just be careful."

While many have sympathised with Chelsea's outcasts, winger Sterling reportedly had a chance to join Fulham on loan, as well as other offers abroad. Defender Disasi is said to have snubbed interest from Bournemouth and West Ham, but both are unlikely to play again until January at the earliest.

The Blues slipped to a hugely disappointing 2-1 defeat at Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend, so they will want to put that right on Tuesday night when they host League One promotion-chasers Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.