By Jennifer Amarachi
Chelsea coach, Enzo Maresca, has stripped Raheem Sterling of number 7 jersey.
Sterling and Ben Chilwell are among a group of perhaps 15 players training away from Chelsea’s first-team squad.
Speaking with journalists, Maresca said “They are not working with me. I don’t see them,”, adding that Pedro Neto will get Sterling’s No. 7 shirt, who wishes to remain in the Premier League.
Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca says Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling continue to train away from the squad, and if they want to play regularly, they may leave.
According to Enzo Maresca, Raheem Sterling is training away from Chelsea’s first squad and is not in his plans since the head coach “prefers a different kind of winger”.
Chelsea is open to offers for Sterling, who joined from Manchester City for £50 million in 2022.
Maresca informed the 29-year-old last Friday that he was not in his plans this season, and he was left out of the squad that lost to City last Sunday and the team preparing to face Servette on Thursday.
Sterling’s No 7 shirt has also been given to summer signing Pedro Neto, who wore the No 19 shirt on his debut against Manchester City on Sunday.
Prior to the match versus ManCity, Sterling’s management issued a statement requesting “clarity” on the winger’s future, which Jamie Carragher deemed “ridiculous”.
Sterling’s representatives spoke with Chelsea at the close of last season, and all indications were he would continue this season, but it now appears the England international may have played his final game for the club.
Maresca stated ahead of their Conference League play-off first leg at home against Servette: “I’m not saying Raheem isn’t a good player, but I prefer a different kind of winger.”