August 21st 2024.
Chelsea's new manager, Enzo Maresca, recently confirmed that Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell are currently training separately from the first-team. The boss believes that both players should seek opportunities elsewhere before the transfer window closes.
Sterling was not included in Chelsea's first Premier League game against Manchester City, which led to the England winger seeking "clarity" from the club. Similarly, Chilwell was also left out of the opening game of the season. Maresca, who took over for Mauricio Pochettino, admitted that Chilwell should "probably" leave the club.
During a pre-match press conference, Maresca provided an update on the situation, stating that both players are currently training apart from the rest of the team. However, he also made it clear that they are still considered Chelsea players until they officially leave the club. Maresca believes that it's best for players who are seeking more minutes to find opportunities elsewhere.
Maresca also shared his honest opinion on the situation, stating that he had spoken with Sterling before the Manchester City game and informed him that he would struggle to get playing time with Chelsea. He also mentioned that Chilwell is a "lovely guy" but that he would also struggle to get minutes with the team. While some may view this as brutal, Maresca sees it as being honest and transparent with his players.
The decision to exclude Sterling and Chilwell from the team has raised some eyebrows, especially considering the club's recent spending spree. On Wednesday, they announced the signing of Portugal forward Joao Felix for a whopping £45m. As a result, Maresca feels that it's necessary to trim the squad and make room for new signings.
Sterling and Chilwell have been linked with moves to other teams, with Chilwell reportedly being a target for Manchester United. Meanwhile, Sterling has garnered interest from multiple foreign clubs. Despite their status as experienced England stars, Maresca believes that it's best for them to seek opportunities elsewhere.
More updates on this situation are expected to follow. Stay tuned for the latest Chelsea news, exclusives, and analysis by signing up for our newsletter. Your privacy is important to us, and this site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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