Raheem Sterling Faces Chelsea Banishment Amidst Squad Shake-Up
Raheem Sterling’s position at Chelsea has taken a dramatic turn for the worse as he faces severe humiliation and exclusion from the first-team squad. The forward, once a key player, has had his No 7 shirt stripped away and has been relegated to training with a group of players who are not part of the current manager's plans.
This tumultuous phase for Sterling began when he was surprisingly omitted from Chelsea’s squad for their recent defeat against Manchester City. The decision by head coach Enzo Maresca has since been clarified: Sterling, along with other high-profile players like Ben Chilwell, has been informed that if they wish to play regular football, they must seek opportunities elsewhere. Sterling was given a brief hiatus to contemplate his next steps, with a permanent move being highly encouraged.
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Upon his return, Sterling will join more than a dozen players who are now training separately from the main squad. This group includes England international Ben Chilwell, who is also advised to find a new team if he wants to secure consistent playing time this season. Both Sterling and Chilwell are among Chelsea’s highest earners, with Sterling reportedly taking home around £300,000 a week on a contract that extends for three more years.
In a recent update, manager Enzo Maresca has made it clear that Sterling’s exclusion from the squad is due to tactical preferences. Maresca stated that he prefers different types of wingers and reiterated his stance by saying he has not had any new discussions with Sterling beyond their last conversation. Maresca’s approach has been blunt yet transparent, with the manager asserting that his decisions are based on the needs of the team rather than personal sentiments.
Sterling’s No 7 shirt has already been reassigned to Pedro Neto, the new signing from Wolves, who joined Chelsea for £54 million. Similarly, Trevoh Chalobah’s shirt number has been given to João Félix, another recent acquisition. Maresca has expressed that the club's squad size, which is currently bloated with over 40 players, is an external concern and not reflective of his daily work. He emphasized that while Chelsea’s roster appears extensive, only a fraction of those players are actively involved in first-team training.
The situation at Chelsea remains fluid as the transfer window nears its end. Sterling’s potential move remains uncertain, with no significant offers from Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, as he aims to revitalize his England career. Meanwhile, other players like Trevoh Chalobah and Kepa Arrizabalaga, along with Romelu Lukaku, are also in limbo, training away from the main squad as Chelsea navigates a significant squad overhaul.
In summary, Raheem Sterling’s fall from grace at Chelsea highlights the club’s ongoing efforts to streamline their roster under Maresca’s new regime. As Chelsea continues to make high-profile signings and shake up their squad, the futures of players like Sterling and Chilwell hang in the balance, with the looming transfer deadline potentially bringing clarity to their uncertain positions.
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