The future of Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge looms with further uncertainty as the player was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the game against Manchester City on matchday one of the new Premier League season.
It was always going to be an interesting call from Enzo Maresca regarding his selections with a plethora of options available. The Englishman was unfortunately one of those who did not make the cut and now questions his time with the Blues.
Sterling’s representatives have since come out and asked for clarification on their client’s role at the club. “Our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekendβs fixture. We look forward to gaining clarity on the situation”, were the words of his agency who can now possibly start preparing themselves for a busy end to the summer transfer window.
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Chelsea’s opening game ended in a disappointing 2-0 loss to the reigning champions. Supporters, however, are still opposed to the idea of including the 29-year-old as a member of the 2024/25 Chelsea squad. Sterling joined the London club in 2022 and has since scored 19 goals along with providing 12 assists in 81 appearances. A potential discard from Chelsea can alert several teams in England to make a move for the left-winger.
Raheem Sterling falls down the pecking order at Chelsea
Todd Boehly and his fellow colleagues at Chelsea have overseen an extraordinary transfer window. The quantum of signings is a completely alien concept for football fans, who have debated the strategy by the management. Nonetheless, coach, Enzo Maresca has been clear about his preferences, “The manager has to make some decisions. Sometimes players don’t like it, that’s normal”. The Italian’s words do not provide much hope for Sterling to make his way back as a starter.
The likes of Pedro Neto and Marc Guiu have arrived at Chelsea this summer as attacking reinforcements. Apart from them, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, and Mykhaylo Mudryk are Maresca’s preferred options.
Such a situation has failed to ensure Raheem Sterling a place even on the bench. His underwhelming displays in the last two years have also not helped his case. Chelsea’s latest plan of building a young squad might prove to be the final nail in the coffin for the former Liverpool man.