Maresca HUMILIATES Sterling: He can stay for 20 years and not play

Carlo Garganese

21 Aug 2024 14:00 BST
3 min read

Raheem Sterling, Chelsea, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Enzo Maresca has brutally told Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell that they have no future at Chelsea.

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Maresca sat down for a fiery press conference on Wednesday where he was asked a series of tough questions about Chelsea’s chaotic transfer market.

The Blues have been heavily criticised for another crazy summer of spending which has seen their squad balloon up to 44 players.

On Wednesday, Chelsea signed another player in the form of Atletico Madrid winger Joao Felix for €50 million.

The arrival of Felix all but signalled the end of Sterling’s Chelsea career.

Maresca admitted that Sterling has no future at the club, following on from the Englishman’s omission from the squad for the opening game of the season against Man City.

Sterling’s entourage published a statement after the omission demanding clarity over the player’s status at the club.

Maresca was very clear on Wednesday, explaining how Sterling is out of his plans. The Italian manager said the same was the case for Chilwell.

But it was the brutal manner in which he delivered the news that raised eyebrows.

What did Maresca say?

“I just try to be honest,” Maresca said.

"I spoke with Raheem before the Man 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’s why."

"I didn't see Raheem [after the match when he asked for clarification through his representatives]. If I sit with Raheem, I will tell him the exact same things I told him. Everything was clear."

"It is not my problem [how long a player’s contract is], I'm here to take decisions. I'm not thinking about how many years on the contract, it's not my job. If they have a six year contract but I don't like them? They can have a 20 year contract, I don't care"

“"I'm working with 21/22 players. I am not working with 42 players. More than 15 players are training apart and not with the team.

According to TeamTalk, Maresca’s recent comments in which he suggested that Chilwell was not of the quality required to play at left-back has infuriated the England star.

As a result, Chilwell is now looking to quit the club as he does not want to play for a manager who does not value him.

According to the Daily Mail, Man Utd are considering making a bid for Chilwell in an attempt to solve their own left back crisis after Luke Shaw suffered another injury. Man City have also been linked.