Representatives for Raheem Sterling want "clarity" on the forward's standing at Chelsea after he was left out of Enzo Maresca's squad for the Premier League opener against Manchester City on Sunday.
Sterling was the most high-profile of a string of big-name absentees at Stamford Bridge as his former club began their title defense against a Chelsea side whose first team currently numbers 42. The 29-year-old's favored spot on the left wing was taken by Christopher Nkunku with Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto all preferred to Sterling on the substitutes bench. Summer signing Marc Guiu, 18, was also included in the matchday squad following what Maresca termed a "technical" decision.
Sterling had featured in every preseason game for Chelsea, scoring in a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City in Ohio last month. He had also returned to training a fortnight ahead of schedule in a bid to earn himself a spot in Maresca's plans.
A statement from the forward's representatives said, "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 preseason 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."
Sterling, signed for $61.5 million from City in the first summer under the Clearlake Capital ownership consortium, is one of the best-paid players in the Premier League with a salary reported to be in excess of $400,000 a week. The England international has struggled to find his best form in two turbulent years at Stamford Bridge and delivered eight goals and four assists in the top flight last season. His travails at club level also saw him slip out of contention on the international stage; he has not played for England since the 2022 World Cup.
Addressing Sterling's absence, in addition to those of Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and several other senior players, Maresca said,"It happens many times. The manager has to make some decisions. Sometimes players don't like it, that's normal. Just a technical decision, no more than that. We'll see in the next days."
Without Sterling in the squad, Chelsea fell to a 2-0 home defeat, Neto offering a sparky cameo off the bench that suggests there will be a hard-fought battle for the left wing spot, the other flank potentially locked down for Palmer.
"I don't know [if Sterling will be here after the transfer window closes]," said Maresca after the match. "The only thing I can say again is it has been a technical decision and in the next days we will see it and clarify the situation."
Asked directly if he wanted Sterling to stay, Maresca paused before saying: "I want Raheem Sterling but I want all the 30 players that we have. There is no space for all of them. Some of them have to leave."
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