Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed why English forward Raheem Sterling will never play for him again at Chelsea.
In a quote shared by Fabrizio, the former Leicester City manager revealed he has spoken with Raheem Sterling and has told him he has no place in the team.
The Championship winner also disclosed Sterling is now training away from the team, affirming his decision to axe him from the squad.
According to the coach, he ”prefers a different winger” to the former Manchester City and Liverpool star.
The latest development in Sterling’s career under Enzo Maresca marks a prodigious U-turn in the player’s prospects at Stamford Bridge.
Sources close to the club reveal Raheem Sterling, who scored 8 goals with 4 assists in 31 Premier League games for the Blues last season, had positive talks with Chelsea’s hierarchy on his future.
The club were reportedly ready to offer him a new contract extension following an optimal performance in a largely underwhelming season for the Blues.
However, the tides would turn against the player following the sack of Mauricio Pochettino and the arrival of Enzo Maresca. It is understood that Raheem Sterling had a good relationship with Maresca before this sudden twist between the duo. He played in the club’s pre-season games under the new manager, putting up a series of brilliant performances.
However, the brilliant showing in pre-season was waved aside by Maresca, and the player dropped from the club’s 2024-25 opening Premier League match against Manchester City.
Maresca’s decision to drop the 29-year-old fueled tensions between the English forward and the Italian tactician. Sterling asked for clarity on why he was dropped, only to meet a furious response by Maresca.
In a latest quote shared by Fabrizio Romano, Maresca emphasized in a rather reactionary tone that he had told Sterling he has no place in the team.
“I spoke with Raheem one-on-one the day before City. I have nothing new to tell him… as I was quite clear”.
“If he wants a chat again I’ll tell him what I already told him,” he says.
Maresca strips Sterling of jersey No. 7; Joao Felix’s jersey No.14 confirmed
Maresca is not only talking in the row between him and Sterling but is acting as well. According to Sky Sports, the Italian and former Leicester City coach has stripped Sterling of Chelsea’s jersey No. 7. His new signing from Wolves’ Pedro Neto is now donning the club’s No. 7 shirt.
Another new signing from Atletico Madrid, Joao Felix, will wear No. 14. While Neto played for the Blues in the opening fixture against City, Felix has yet to seal his move at the time of this report, but proceedings to complete the transfer process will be concluded this week. So, the Portuguese is likely to feature in the Blues’ next Premier League clash against Wolves on Saturday 25, 2024.
What is next for Raheem Sterling following Chelsea deadlock?
According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea are now exploring a permanent exit solution for Raheem Sterling following the fallout with Maresca.
The player has been linked to a move to Saudi Arabia. However, close sources claim he wants to continue his career in the Premier League. Sterling joined Manchester City for £50m in 2022. He has three years left in his contract with the London club, having penned down a five-year contract.
As things stand, he is now on the Blues’ chopping block alongside another English star, Ben Chilwell. The duo will hope to take up a new challenge elsewhere, having fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
