The 22 first-team players EXCLUDED for Chelsea's Premier League opener

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 18 Aug 2024 19:00 BST
  • 4 min read
Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea
© IMAGO

Enzo Maresca’s first competitive game as Chelsea boss saw the Blues lose 2-0 to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

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Erling Haaland’s first-half goal - his 91st in 100 Man City appearances - and Mateo Kovacic’s 84th minute strike were enough to give Pep Guardiola’s side the perfect start to their defence of the Premier League title.

While there were many talking points in the match itself, including Kovacic netting against his former club, Maresca’s team selection arguably caused the most controversy online.

READ MORE: Premier League summer transfers 2024 - All the Done Deals

The starting XI picked by the Italian was probably Chelsea’s strongest available team, but there were 22 first-team players who were excluded by Maresca altogether.

Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell were among the players to miss out, with the former’s camp even releasing a statement following his omission.

As per the first-team squad listed on Chelsea’s club website, there were 22 players missing from their 20-man matchday team to face Man City.

READ MORE: Sterling wants Chelsea 'clarity' after being DROPPED by Maresca

Admittedly, many of those players are expected to depart Stamford Bridge before the transfer window ends, while several youngsters are also listed as first-team players but are set to play in Chelsea’s U21 side.

However, it’s alarming nonetheless, especially as only five first-team players were omitted from Man City’s matchday squad, including the injured Oscar Bobb.

Raheem Sterling was excluded from Chelsea's matchday squad against Manchester City
© IMAGO - Raheem Sterling was excluded from Chelsea's matchday squad against Manchester City

The 22 players missing from Chelsea’s squad vs Man City

PlayerPosition
Marcus BettinelliGoalkeeper
Djordje PetrovicGoalkeeper
Lucas BergstromGoalkeeper
Kepa ArrizabalagaGoalkeeper
Axel DisasiDefender
Trevoh ChalobahDefender
Ben ChilwellDefender
Reece JamesDefender
Josh AcheampongDefender
Bashir HumphreysDefender
Carney ChukwuemekaMidfielder
Conor GallagherMidfielder
Cesare CasadeiMidfielder
Omari KellymanMidfielder
Tino AnjorinMidfielder
Raheem SterlingForward
Tyrique GeorgeForward
Deivid WashingtonForward
Angelo GabrielForward
Armando BrojaForward
David Datro FofanaForward
Romelu LukakuForward

Of the players excluded from the squad to play Man City, there are several who will leave Chelsea shortly.

Conor Gallagher is in advanced negotiations to join Atletico Madrid, with Joao Felix set to move in the opposite direction, while Romelu Lukaku appears destined to sign for Napoli once Victor Osimhen departs.

The aforementioned Chilwell has been told to find a new club by Maresca, Trevoh Chalobah has been deemed surplus to requirements, and Carney Chukwuemeka has been heavily linked with both Barcelona and Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Deivid Washington, Djordje Petrovic, Cesare Casadei, Angelo Gabriel, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Bashir Humphreys, Armando Broja, and David Datro Fofana are also expected to leave, either on loan or permanently.

Tyrique George, Josh Acheampong and Omari Kellyman are set to feature prominently for Chelsea’s U21 team during the 2024-25 campaign.

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