Raheem Sterling: Why do football teams have ‘bomb squads’?

Contractual complications are usually the reasons why players find themselves stuck at a club where they do not play for the first team, but cannot leave.

There are strict regulations applied by FIFA, which means there can be “abusive behaviour” by a club that isolates players – including those in the bomb squad – from the first team, which could entitle the player to have his contract terminated on the grounds of “just cause”.

Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has made headlines by comparing the Chelsea Bomb Squad to his father’s job as a fisherman.

Lutz Pfannenstiel, Aberdeen’s sporting director, told the BBC that he personally would not treat Bomb squad players so harshly, but he could also see why teams decide to implement such measures.

He said: “Maybe the club is too big, and maybe the manager wants someone else. There are different reasons why the player is not involved in the club’s plans anymore.”

“Is there a better way to handle it? Sure, immediately go to the agent, pay the player, terminate the contract, shake hands, smile, hug each other. But this is a fairy tale.”

He also said that there may be discussions taking place about the player’s future that they are not privy to.

“Very often clubs find situations very quickly regarding loans, sales or finding ways to make it work for the player. But there are isolated cases where the player’s agent makes it very difficult. Players do not always listen to the discussion with the sporting director as you only feel ways to keep the player and keep him fit.”