Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca confirms Raheem Sterling exile: ‘I am not working with 42 players’

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Raheem Sterling is training away from the blues’ senior squad and is unlikely to be involved in his plans after the England international was dropped for the opening game of the Premier League season against Manchester City. The Italian tactician saw his team go down 2-0 to Pep Guardiola’s defending champions at Stamford Bridge last Sunday and has clarified his position on Sterling after the 29-year-old sought “clarity” via his representatives following the snub.

What did Maresca say?

“I am working with 21 or 22 players,” said Maresca on Wednesday ahead of Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League clash with Servette of Switzerland on Thursday. “I am not working with 42 players. More than 15 players are training apart and not with the team. “I spoke with Raheem before the City game, I said he will struggle to get minutes with us. With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy but because of his position, he will struggle. I am not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer different kinds of wingers — that is why. I did not see Raheem [after the match when he asked for clarification through his representatives],” added Maresca while confirming that Sterling and Chilwell are training away from the main group of players. “If I sit with Raheem, I will tell him the exact same things I told him. Everything was clear.”

What had Sterling said?

“Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years,” read the player’s communication via his representatives. “He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training and has had a positive preseason under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with. He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity. As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation. Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”

What now?

Chelsea have created this problem for Maresca, and presumably hired him because he had a clear vision on how he wanted his team to look on the field. So far this summer, the new hire appears to have had little say over comings and goings — mainly the former — to the point that pundits are now urging players and agents to avoid the London-based club. Maresca seems to be asserting that it is not his job to use all of the players on the Blues’ books and a group of 15 players training away from the main group that he believes he can work with is almost enough for a gameday squad of 18. Sterling and Chilwell certainly do not look to have any real future at Stamford Bridge and the question is who else will be shown the door within the next week or so.

Didn’t Chelsea just sign Joao Felix?

Yes, and according to Maresca in his press conference, he is happy with the arrival of the Portugal international from Atletico Madrid on a permanent deal having already spent a loan spell with the bloated Premier League outfit in 2023. “First of all, he is a good player, a talent, we know him already, the club knows him from two years ago,” said the Italian of the 24-year-old. “The good thing about Joao is he can play different positions, out wide, inside and as a No. 9. That is why we do this deal.” It certainly seems as if Maresca is willing to work with his new signing and the move has finally enabled Conor Gallagher to complete his move to Madrid with Atleti which alleviates one significant headache from the past week or so.

Who else could this impact?

This debate is unlikely to stop here, though, with Maresca now alluding to the fact that Reece James is too injury-prone to be considered Chelsea’s one and only captain. Instead, the Italian has hinted that the England international could now be joined by another skipper to share responsibility with and Levi Colwill was mentioned as a possible candidate for what would be a vice-captaincy with a view to the full-time armband if James continues to struggle for fitness and availability. “He is in the list but he cannot play tomorrow,” Maresca said of James. “I am thinking to nominate one or two more captains. For instance, Levi [Colwill]. A fantastic person and profile. I am thinking if he steps forward in this aspect he can become more complete. It is not just Levi, I am thinking one or two more.” With that in mind, Sterling and Chilwell may well not be the most high profile names that Chelsea look to move on from in the near future.