Chelsea provide strange reason for pushing Sterling exit

Jacque Talbot

Updated: 25 Aug 2024 13:56 BST
3 min read

Chelsea have offered a bizarre reason why they do not wish to continue with Raheem Sterling.

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The winger was left out of the Chelsea squad to face Manchester City last weekend and was cut from the side to play Wolves on Sunday.

After being dropped against the Citizens, the former England winger released a statement indicating that he was not happy with the situation and felt he was owed an explanation by manager Enzo Maresca.

It's thought that the 29-year-old is unlikely to have a prominent role under the Italian boss. He did not even make the grade for the club's Conference League win over Servette during midweek.

Sterling has not proved to be a brilliant signing. He joined for €52.1million from Man City 2022 and has scored 19 goals in all competitions for the club across two seasons not including this ongoing campaign.

Current ETV

Raheem Sterling

M (L), AM (R)

Chelsea

Raheem Sterling

M (L), AM (R)

Chelsea

ETV Range

€39.1M - €65.1M

Why do Chelsea wish to sell Sterling?

Chelsea have made it clear he is not in their plans as they look to trim the squad. The Daily Mail have reported that new additions such as Pedro Neto and Joao Felix "suit the club’s ‘Swiss Army Knife’ approach to recruitment" and they "search for players who can perform in more than one position."

© IMAGO - Sterling could leave Chelsea this summer

Sterling, however, can play a variety of positions when called upon. A right-footed attack, his best role is as an inverted left-winger. But the former Liverpool man can also play on the opposite flank and even as a striker and No.10.

While Felix is similarly versatile, Neto is not. He is far more limited when on his weaker side and has not shown himself to work as a forward like Sterling.

The reasons for his likely exit are probably more predominately focused on his hefty wages in excess of £300,000 per week, but of course, this is Chelsea's stance on the matter in the public forum at least.