Raheem Sterling is among a group of around 15 players training separately from Chelsea’s first team, as head coach Enzo Maresca states he prefers a “different kind of winger.” The 29-year-old forward and defender Ben Chilwell are currently not included in Maresca’s plans.
Chelsea is open to offers for Sterling just two years after he joined the club from Manchester City for £50 million in 2022. Last Friday, Maresca informed Sterling he would not be part of the squad this season, a decision confirmed when he was left out of the team that lost to City on Sunday. Sterling’s No. 7 shirt has since been assigned to summer signing Pedro Neto, who wore the No. 19 shirt on his debut against Manchester City.
Prior to the match against City, Sterling’s representatives requested “clarity” regarding his future at Chelsea—a move Jamie Carragher termed “ridiculous.” After discussions with Chelsea at the end of the last season, Sterling had believed he would remain at the club, but it now appears he could have played his final game for Chelsea. Regarding Sterling’s situation, Maresca said, “I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player, but I prefer a different kind of winger.”
What’s Next for Sterling?
Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol notes that Sterling wants to continue in the Premier League. A move to Saudi Arabia is currently off the table as his family is settled in England, and he aspires to represent his country again. Open discussions are needed to facilitate a permanent transfer for the winger.
Ben Chilwell, also training away from the first team, is similarly affected, with Maresca providing reassurance: “The situation with both of them is quite clear. There is no update. We have a big squad, and it’s impossible to give everyone minutes, so it might be better for them to leave. This is not a mess like it appears from outside.”
Chelsea has adopted a strategy of offering lengthy contracts to new players since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital takeover in 2022, leaving Sterling with three years remaining on his deal. Maresca emphasized that he is focused on making decisions for the team rather than worrying about the length of players’ contracts.
Other Player Movements and Future Plans
In addition to Sterling, Trevor Chalobah is also facing uncertainty as he has been informed he is not in Maresca’s plans for the season. His No. 14 shirt has been given to new signing Joao Felix, who previously wore the number while on loan at Barcelona. Chelsea’s No. 9 shirt remains unallocated as the club searches for a new striker.
Despite having many players to offload this month, Chelsea continues their recruitment efforts, with Felix arriving as their 10th signing of the summer. Having signed a six-year deal with an option for an additional year, Felix rejoined Chelsea for a fee of up to £46.3 million after his successful loan spell two seasons ago.
Chelsea is now set to target a forward after Felix’s signing, with interest in Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. However, they are currently not looking to sign him permanently. The Serie A club has expressed interest in Romelu Lukaku, offering a loan with an obligation to buy worth £25.5 million.
Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher’s transfer to Atletico Madrid was finalized for £36 million after a stalled negotiation. Gallagher, who had turned down a new two-year deal from Chelsea, signed a contract with Atletico until 2029.
With changes ongoing, Maresca has confirmed that Reece James will continue as captain when he returns from injury, highlighting a commitment to homegrown talent amid the club’s evolving roster.
Credit: Sky Sports
