Raheem Sterling’s future at Chelsea has been thrown into uncertainty after he was surprisingly left out of the first squad by Enzo Maresca.
Despite having played a key role during Chelsea’s pre-season, Sterling was not included in the squad for the Premier League opener against his former club Manchester City. It is an unexpected decision that has raised questions about his position within the team.
Sterling’s representatives have responded to Maresca’s action, asking Chelsea for clarity regarding his exclusion.
In a statement, they expressed their surprise, highlighting Sterling’s dedication and preparation for the new season.
The statement read: “Raheem Sterling is under contract with Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He returned to England two weeks ago for inpidual training and has had a positive pre-season under the new manager, with whom he has developed a good working relationship. He is committed, as ever, to performing at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in the club’s official pre-match material this week, we had expected Raheem to be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity. As a club, we have always had positive dialogue with Chelsea FC and have received assurances from them in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation. Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”
?Breaking news: Sterling will not be on the bench.
— Pys (@CFCPys) August 18, 2024
Maresca was questioned about the decision in his pre-match interview and played down any concerns, stating: “It’s just a technical decision, there’s nothing more to say. Coaches are paid to make decisions and sometimes players don’t like it.”
Amid constant speculation linking Sterling with a possible move away, with Juventus reportedly interested, his future at Chelsea remains uncertain as the transfer deadline approaches.
