Raheem Sterling's Chelsea Future Uncertain

Raheem Sterling’s representatives are seeking “clarity” on the forward’s future at Chelsea following his exclusion from the squad for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester City. Despite having a strong working relationship with new manager Enzo Maresca and returning to England early for individual training, Sterling was left out of the matchday squad which raised concerns among his camp.

They had expected him to feature in the game at Stamford Bridge, especially given his inclusion in the club’s official pre-match material. Sterling’s representatives emphasized his commitment to Chelsea and the fans, noting his positive pre-season and ongoing dialogue with the club about his future. With Chelsea having invested around £185 million in 11 new signings this summer, Maresca now manages a squad of over 40 senior players.

Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City for £50 million in July 2022 has made 81 appearances for the club. Manager Enzo Maresca responded to Raheem Sterling’s exclusion by stating that it was simply a “technical decision” and part of his role as a manager to make such choices. He added that it is normal for players to be unhappy with these decisions, and this particular choice was not reflective of Sterling’s performance or future at the club.

Since the takeover by Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, Chelsea has spent approximately £1.5 billion on transfers, focusing on younger players with potential high resale value. Sterling an early signing under the new ownership is keen to start the season positively and hopes to gain further clarity on his role in the team.