Raheem Sterling and Enzo Maresca have gotten off to a horrid start.
The former Liverpool and Manchester City attacker was conspicuously left out of the Chelsea squad that faced the Cityzens in their Premier League 2024/25 season opener at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling did not take kindly to how the Italian’s tenure at the club has started and went to social media à la Jadon Sancho to release a statement to that effect.
The statement, which has been packaged as coming from the player’s representatives, reads: “Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season 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.”
Jamie Carragher blasted the player and his camp for the statement, writing on social media: “Massive fan of Raheem as a player and a lad. Not a fan of the Chelsea set-up with owners etc…but this statement is ridiculous! “As a camp………..! We look forward to gaining clarity…….”!! No need for a statement, especially an hour before kick-off!! Just play better.”
Speaking after the match to journalists on the drama that ensued before kickoff, Maresca noted that Sterlign is important to his project at the club, but unfortunately, the squad’s numbers are too large to accommodate every single player on matchdays. He also insisted that Chelsea must sell players for Sterling to get regular features.
“The only thing I can say again is it’s a technical decision, it’s nothing more than that,” said Maresca. “I want Raheem Sterling, but I want all the 30 players that we have, but there’s no space for all of them. So, for some of them, they have to leave.”
Maresca also spoke about some of the absences in the squad including Axel Disasi, one of the club’s key players last season.
“Axel is only just coming back from and injury, while Chilly has been ill,” said Maresca. “Every case is a bit different, Carney, he’s a very good player but with his injuries in the past the best thing for him is to play 30, 35 games in a row and to show himself he’s fit and how good he is. With us, is he going to play 35 games? I’m not sure.
“For Raheem, it was just a technical decision and the next day we’ll see, and it’s no more than that.”
