August 22nd 2024.
It seems that Raheem Sterling's time at Chelsea may be coming to an end this summer. The 29-year-old has been facing difficulties at the club, with manager Enzo Maresca confirming that he will not be playing this season and that he should look for a new team. And it's not just Sterling who is in this situation - Chelsea is looking to trim their large squad and get rid of some players after a busy transfer window.
Fellow England international Ben Chilwell is also on the chopping block, with Chelsea hoping to move him and several others before the transfer window closes on August 30th. However, it won't be an easy task to find new homes for these players, especially for someone like Sterling who is on a high salary and has a long contract.
According to the Evening Standard, Sterling has no interest in moving to the Saudi Pro League and would prefer to stay in the Premier League if he does leave Chelsea. This news comes after Juventus have shown interest in the winger, but Sterling is said to favor staying in England if possible. Some potential destinations for him could be West Ham, Newcastle, or Crystal Palace, but he may have to take a pay cut or Chelsea may have to cover some of his wages.
Despite his preference to stay in the Premier League, bookmakers have listed Juventus as the favorites to sign Sterling, as they have made the most concrete move for him so far. During a recent press conference, Maresca made it clear that both Sterling and Chilwell are training separately from the rest of the team and that there are no updates on their situations.
While Maresca acknowledges that it is not an ideal situation for the players, he believes in being honest with them. He had a conversation with Sterling before the match against Manchester City, letting him know that he would have a hard time getting playing time with the team. This is also the case for Chilwell, who Maresca says is a great guy but will struggle to get minutes. He believes it is better for these players to seek opportunities elsewhere if they want regular playing time.
Of course, this situation is not comfortable for anyone involved, but Maresca wants the players to know the truth. He understands how they feel, but ultimately, it's important to be honest and transparent. As for now, Sterling and Chilwell remain Chelsea players, but it's uncertain if they will play for the team again.
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