Raheem Sterling’s future at Chelsea has been thrown into uncertainty after he was surprisingly left out of Enzo Maresca’s first matchday squad.
Despite playing a pivotal role during Chelsea’s pre-season, Sterling was not included in the squad for their Premier League opener against his former club, Manchester City. It's an unexpected decision that has sparked questions about his position within the team.
Sterling’s representatives have responded to the action taken by Maresca. seeking clarity from Chelsea regarding his exclusion.
In a statement, they expressed their surprise, emphasizing Sterling’s dedication and preparation for the new season.
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The statement read: "Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, with whom he has developed a good working relationship. He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity. As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC 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: No Sterling on the bench.
— Pys (@CFCPys) August 18, 2024
Maresca was then questioned about the decision in his pre-match interview and downplayed any concerns, stating: "It’s just a technical decision, nothing else to say. Managers are paid to make decisions, and sometimes players don’t like it."
Amid ongoing speculation linking Sterling with a move away, with Juventus reportedly interested, his future at Chelsea remains uncertain as the transfer deadline approaches.
