Enzo Maresca has reiterated his stance on the future of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and Trevoh Chalobah at Chelsea.
Maresca has spelled it out clearly in a presser that there is no room for the aforementioned names at the Stamford Bridge club.
Enzo Maresca was blunt when discussing the future of “Sterling, Chalobah, and the others,” as he expressed that those players who have been ostracized from the first team will not get minutes.
The Comments Of Enzo Maresca On Raheem Sterling And Other Embattled Chelsea Players
Ahead of Chelsea’s Conference League play-off second leg tie, the Italian tactician said: “All the players who in this moment are training apart will NOT get any minutes in case they stay.
“My advice to Sterling? He knows exactly what he has to do. He doesn’t need my advice. Because I prefer to be honest with the player, with Raheem, I have been exactly the same.
“The ones who are not involved, they are all players who are not going to be involved and they don’t get any minutes in case they stay. It’s not just Raheem. It’s all the players who at this moment are training apart.”
Enzo Maresca Lauds Raheem Sterling’s Personality But Claims He Is Not His “Type of Winger”
Maresca, however, noted the personality of Sterling but maintained that the Englishman is not the “type of winger” he prefers.
The ex-Leicester City boss added: “I said already many times, he is a fantastic person.
“The only thing is that every manager has a different idea. He is not the type of winger I like. That says nothing about Raheem. The history and the numbers speak for Raheem.”
Chelsea are currently on a two-game winning run, having defeated Swiss side Servette 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and Wolverhampton Wanderers 6-2 at the Molineux.
The Blues appear to be gradually clicking in the right departments, although they are still battling with goalscoring issues.
Raheem Sterling has been linked with Manchester United this summer as part of a potential swap deal that could involve Jadon Sancho going in the opposite direction.
Sterling has also been linked with a potential move to Aston Villa, ahead of the deadline of the 2024 Summer transfer window.
Interestingly, Chelsea apparently are also in separate talks with the Red Devils over a deal that could see Chilwell join the Old Trafford side.
Ben Chilwell and Sterling have been excluded from the Blues’ first two Premier League match-day squads, as manager Maresca intends to frustrate them out of the side.
Why Does Chelsea Want To Offload Raheem Sterling And Ben Chilwell?
Reports indicate that Chelsea want to let go of Raheem Sterling and Chilwell to free their bloated wage bill, as the pair earn over €500,000 per week cumulatively.
The Blues want to reduce their wage bill to reportedly meet the demands of striker Victor Osimhen, who is requesting a huge weekly salary.
Osimhen has been linked with the Stamford Bridge club this summer, but both parties haven’t agreed personal terms, as Chelsea’s offer is below the asking wage of the Nigeria international.
Enzo Maresca’s side are also interested in Brentford’s Ivan Toney, and this puts the future of striker Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea in doubt.
The Senegal international is anxiously waiting to see if he will remain the Blues’ arrowhead, having been much maligned for his frailties in front of goal.
Anyway, Jackson has been linked with a likely move to Aston Villa before the 2024 Summer transfer window shuts.
Moreover, Raheem Sterling joined the Blues on July 13, 2022, for a fee of €56.2 million, and he has made 81 appearances for the side, scoring 19 goals and providing 12 assists across all competitions.
Ben Chilwell moved to the London-based side from Leicester City on August 26, 2020, for a fee of €50.2 million.
The England international has made 106 appearances for the Blues, scoring 9 goals and providing 12 assists in all competitions.
