Enzo Maresca Admits he 'doesn't know' if Raheem Sterling will stay Chelsea After the player issued a statement expressing his frustration at being excluded from the defeat, Manchester City.
Maresca's Stamford Bridge era got off to a bad start on Sunday when Chelsea lost 2-0 to City with players like Enzo Fernandez and Nicholas Jackson Receive strong criticism.
But there was also drama off the pitch, as happened before the start of the match. Sterling's team issued a statement demanding “clarity”. The coach and the club's striker were excluded from the match squad.
The England international was one of several notable omissions in the 20-man squad, alongside names such as Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku.
Sterling wants to stay in west London and Maresca has since made it clear that the omission was purely tactical and that he also wants the player to stay.
But the manager also admitted there was no certainty the former Liverpool and City star would still be a Chelsea player until the end of the transfer window, telling his post-match press conference: “I don't know (he'll be).”
“For all the players, if we want to be Chelsea players, we will try to use them, but it will not be a decision,” he added.
“I love Raheem Sterling, but I love all the players and there is not space for all of them.”
He also told Sky Sports: “I haven't seen the statement. I have nothing to say. It was a tactical decision, nothing more.
And the next day we will clarify if necessary. I was clear, it's a tactical decision. I didn't see it.
Raheem Sterling's team statement:
Raheem Sterling has been signed by Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.
“He went to England two weeks ago to do individual training and have a positive pre-season under the new coach, where he has developed a good working relationship.
“He is committed, as always, to delivering the highest level for Chelsea and the players, which the team delivers at the highest level, and given the unofficial pre-match material he has provided from the club this week, our expectations were the best,” he added. “Raheem will be done playing, I didn’t play this weekend in any way.
“As a team, we have always had positive dialogue and assurances from Chelsea regarding Raheem’s future at the club, so we hope to have clarity on the situation.
“Now, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season in a positive way.”
It remains to be seen whether the statement will affect the relationship between Sterling and Maresca, with the 29-year-old temporarily linked to Juventus and his £300,000-a-week salary a hurdle.
From Liverpool, Jamie Carragher was not impressed with the player's actions, tweeting: “Great compliment to Raheem as a player and a bird. This is not about Chelsea being founded with their owners etc.
“But this statement is ridiculous!” “Like camp.” “We are keen to get clarity.”
No need to say anything especially an hour before the start!! I could hardly have played better.
More to follow…
For more stories like this Confirm our sports page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news
Facebook, twitter and Instagram.
Mais: Chelsea's Linda demands transfer after £32m star performance against Man City
Mais: Marc Cucurella's Erling Haaland song is naked just 18 minutes into Chelsea's season
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and Google. privacy policy and Service thermos He is advancing.
