Raheem Sterling is keen to permanently exit Chelsea after experiencing poor treatment from Enzo Maresca, something that Maresca denies labelling as “brutal”. If Axel Disasi departs the club a year post his move, Maresca may potentially scout for a fresh centre-back. Chelsea is finalising a grand clean-up before the transfer window snaps shut shortly.
Sterling has refrained from entering training after failing to make the team for the match against Manchester City and expresses readiness to collaborate with Chelsea to find a solution. He finds himself lower on the list after the joining of Pedro Neto and João Félix.
Sterling, who used to play for Manchester City and isn’t involved for the initial part of the Europa Conference League qualifier against Servette, refuses to take up a loan deal or move to Saudi Arabia. He has three more years left on his contract of £325,000 weekly wage, is open to the idea of a permanent departure and has partnered with Ben Chilwell amongst the set of 15 players at a senior level who are no longer in the club’s future plan.
Meanwhile, Conor Gallagher’s transfer to Atlético Madrid was approved on Wednesday, but Chelsea remains engaged in closing out many sales and loan agreements. They have been the subject of external pushback, leading to Maresca’s exacerbated reaction to claims of his painstaking ordeal managing 42 players. Maresca alleges that he has been candid about their current situation with Sterling and Chilwell, who seems to have no opportunities to play this season under the previous Leicester manager.
Maresca claims, “I am honestly aware of the situation of each player, the commotion comes from external sources.” With over 15 players practising separately and not with the main team. He recalls his conversation with Sterling, expressing the limited playing time he might get, and shared a similar sentiment with Chilwell. The coach firmly states, “It’s not a sign of brutality, but honesty. Contrary to external opinions, I am not handling 42 players, but half the number. The situation isn’t as chaotic as it appears from the outside.”
Chelsea may encounter difficulty securing a willing purchaser for Sterling due to his substantial income. The club’s intent to offload the 29-year-old footballer is believed to be inspired in part by economic factors. Juventus has expressed interest in this ex-Liverpool player.
[Signs point to an impending departure for Raheem Sterling from Chelsea, as João Félix is set to join the teamOpens in new window ]
Despite the recent addition of Félix, Chelsea shows no signs of slowing down its activity after an intensive summer period. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is on Maresca’s wish list for a prospective forward, and modifications to the central defence lineup are not out of question.
Currently, Chelsea boasts six experienced centre-backs on their roster, though Chalobah is on the trading block and Disasi’s future with the club looks bleak under Maresca’s plan. Falling short of expectations since his £38.5 million transfer from Monaco last year, Disasi, who underwent hernia surgery during the preseason, has garnered some attention from Newcastle. Despite making 44 appearances in last season, the French international player has shown a lack of ease on the field, causing speculation over how much game time Benoît Badiashile will receive this year.
Maresca is content with having Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana as the principal centre-backs, with Tosin Adarabioyo as the first alternate. Nevertheless, given Fofana’s recovery from a major knee injury, a new centre-back may be brought in to strengthen competition and foster his ball possession system.
With time running out, Chelsea is under pressure to decide the fate of its surplus players. Interest in Chilwell is yet to pick up and Carney Chukwuemeka is anticipated to depart. David Datro Fofana, Ângelo Gabriel, and Djordje Petrovic are on offer, the future of Noni Madueke is up in the air, and Armando Broja is nearing the completion of a loan deal to Ipswich that could culminate in a £30 million signing if the club avoids relegation. Bashir Humphreys, a 21-year-old defender, has been loaned to Burnley with a compulsory purchase clause set at £12 million.
– The Guardian