MX23RW : Thursday, November 21 10:53:22| >> :120:53019:53019:
[monks data]
Chelsea logo
Premier League | Gameweek 1
Aug 18, 2024 at 4.30pm UK
Stamford Bridge
Manchester City logo

Chelsea
0 - 2
Man City


Caicedo (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Haaland (18'), Kovacic (84')
Haaland (66')

Chelsea transfer news: Maresca comments on Sterling future after Man City omission

© Imago
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca suggests that talks will be held with Raheem Sterling after he was left out of the squad for Sunday's Premier League opener against Manchester City.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has hinted that Raheem Sterling may have to leave Stamford Bridge before the end of the summer transfer window.

Throughout pre-season, Sterling was a regular fixture in the Blues squad, participating in each of the six friendlies without playing more than 63 minutes in a single match.

The expectation was that the England international would be selected among the Chelsea substitutes for Sunday's Premier League opener with Manchester City on Sunday.

Instead, the 29-year-old was the major surprise omission from the squad, leading to his representatives releasing a statement to express their surprise at the decision soon after it was made public knowledge.

That move is likely to divide opinion, whether that be behind the scenes or among the fanbase, and Maresca was naturally quizzed on the decision in his post-match press conference after a 2-0 defeat.

Raheem Sterling in action for Chelsea on March 17, 2024.© Reuters

"It was a technical decision"

As quoted by football.london, Maresca explained the situation, saying: "I don't know. The only thing I can say is that it was a technical decision and in the next day, we will want to sit and clarify the situation but it is nothing more than that.

"For all the players, they are Chelsea players. If they are going to be Chelsea players, then we will try to use them but no more than technical decision."

When directly asked if he wanted Sterling in his squad, Maresca added: "I want Raheem Sterling but I want all the 30 players we have. But there is no space for all of them. So for some of them, they have to leave."

As well as Sterling being left out of the squad, the likes of Noni Madueke and Mykhaylo Mudryk were not introduced from the bench as Chelsea chased the game in the second half.

Maresca's preference was new signing Pedro Neto, while his third and substitution window was rushed in order to replace the injured Marc Cucurella.

Chelsea FC forward Raheem Sterling (7) takes a shot as Club America defender Cristian Calderon (18) defends during the friendly between Chelsea FC and Club America on July 31, 2024 [on August 9, 2024]© Imago

What now?

The fact that Chelsea have a Europa Conference League playoff fixture against Servette on Thursday may answer the question of whether Sterling has a future at Chelsea.

There will need to be a balance between naming a team that can establish a lead in the two-legged tie and some players being rested for Sunday's league fixture versus Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Reports have always indicated that Sterling wants to remain at Chelsea, yet he will also not want to waste a period of his career with very little game time.

As it stands, it appears that he sits at least fifth in the pecking order for the flanks, and Nicolas Jackson could be used ahead of him if Chelsea sign a new centre-forward.

ID:550733:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5150:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Enzo Maresca

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Game History

How you voted: Chelsea vs Man City

Chelsea
25.6%
Draw
13.8%
Manchester City
60.6%
472
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
 Raheem Sterling Stance on Chelsea Future on August 13, 2024
Read Next:
Clarity required: Sterling's agents release statement after Chelsea omission
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!