Enzo Maresca reveals what he told Sterling and Chilwell about Chelsea futures and says ‘it’s not brutal, just honest’

Ilkay Gundogan is closing in on a stunning return to Manchester City.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have announced the signing of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on a permanent deal.

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By Jack Rosser

STANDING in the bowels of the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, Raheem Sterling reflected on a positive pre-season and seemed enthused about what was to come.

How quickly things can change in football.

Speaking to those who worked closely with the winger the fact that Sterling, hardly a regular when it comes to stopping for a chat, was happy to speak was a good sign on its own.

Sterling praised Maresca for stamping his authority on the group, said the ex-Leicester boss could get the best from him and talked in glowing terms about the potential in the squad.

There was even talk of getting back in the England squad.

It all came crashing down thanks to a meeting on Friday where the winger was told to look for another club, which resulted in an omission from Sunday's squad and a statement hitting back asking for "clarity" on his position.

Maresca could not have been clearer yesterday when saying he prefers other players in that position.

But, at a player to manager level, there were not many signs of this coming.

The ownership want to decrease the wage bill, of which Sterling takes up a considerable chunk, but things looked to be moving in the right direction.

Sterling had spent the summer away with family, watching bits of the Euros - just the England games - before getting in on day one to work with Enzo Maresca.

The former Manchester City man, who has won five Premier League titles, was impressed by Maresca early on, enjoying the sessions and the ideas the Italian was looking to get across.

Having played in a similar system under Pep Guardiola in Manchester, it looked a good fit - a chance for Chelsea to finally get the best from the England international.

Sterling did not start every game on tour, but often made an impact when introduced off the bench and looked comfortable in the new system.

Teammates often talk of the 29-year-old as a big brother figure and in a squad which is so young that experience should not be overlooked.

But relationships like that have been cast aside as Chelsea brutally push forward with what the ownership, directors and management see as the future - and Sterling has been told he is not a part of that.

It is a rough landing after what seemed a strong summer of preparation - leaving Sterling with little time to find a way out.

If those hopes of getting back into England reckoning are to be realised, a solution must be found quickly.

He told Sky Sports: "Chelsea have just got to stop buying players and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea.

"If I was a player and look at Chelsea, why would you sign?

"The only reason you'd sign is because someone might say - your agent might say - 'We're getting a seven-year deal'.

"You know what I'd say? 'Back yourself as a player, sign a four-year deal at a proper club and back yourself to do well'.

"And then when you're due for renewal your money goes up anyway.

"I don't understand why you'd sign a seven-year deal. Back yourself."

He continued: "All players need competition. But every team I played in there were seven or eight players who knew they were playing every week.

"Then you've got six or seven players who are fighting for three positions, and then you've got another six players who know they are squad players."

And of the Blues' swollen array of talent, Carragher asked: "Where are they going to fit in the changing room?

"How are you going to put on a training session."