Raheem Sterling want to be clear about him Chelsea future after being left out of the squad for Sunday’s 2-0 match Premier League loser start Manchester City.
The 29-year-old played in all six games on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States but was left out of the squad for Enzo Maresca’s first competitive match at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca, who called it a technical decision to leave Sterling out, had earlier called Older brother international “an important player”, with the expectation that he would be part of his plans despite widespread speculation that he would leave Chelsea.
After the match, Maresca reiterated his pre-match comments, but said due to the size of the squad, some players would have to leave.
“I don’t know,” said Maresca. “The only thing I can say is that it’s a technical decision and we’ll sit down tomorrow and clarify the situation but nothing more than that.
“For all the players, they are Chelsea players. If they are Chelsea players, then we will try to use them but it is no more than a technical decision.
“I want Raheem Sterling, but I want all 30 players we have. But there is no room for all of them. So some of them have to go.”
Sources told ESPN that Juventus are among the clubs interested in the striker.
When contacted by ESPN for comment on Sterling’s absence on Sunday ahead of the game, Sterling’s team issued the following statement: “Raheem Sterling has signed a contract with Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.
He returned to England two weeks early for individual training and has had a positive pre-season under the new manager, with whom he has developed a good working relationship.
“He has always been committed to giving his all to Chelsea FC and the fans, for whom he has great respect, and with his inclusion in the official documentation ahead of the club’s match this week, we expect Raheem to be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.
“As a training camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurances from, Chelsea FC regarding Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to clarifying the situation. Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”
Sterling has joined Chelsea from Manchester City in July 2022 for £47.5 million ($61.5 million) and he has made 81 appearances in all competitions, scoring 19 goals.
Chelsea are in talks with Atletico Madrid forwarding Joao Felix in a deal that if completed could see Conor Gallagher moved to the LaLiga club in a separate deal worth £34 million.
