Enzo Maresca reveals what he told Sterling and Chilwell about Chelsea futures and says ‘it’s not brutal, just honest’
Maresca explained that some 15 first team players are training away from the main group
ENZO MARESCA has revealed his “honest” conversations with Chelsea outcasts Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell.
The Blues duo look destined for the exit doors at Stamford Bridge this summer with new boss Maresca preferring other options ahead of the England stars.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea‘s Europa Conference League play-off with Servette, Maresca detailed what he has said to the pair.
He said: “They are training apart. As I said, the situation is quite clear and there is not any update on the situation.
“They are Chelsea players until they are not Chelsea players. But it’s impossible to give them all minutes.
“Those who want minutes, they are better off to leave.”
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Adding: “I try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the City game. I said he’s going to struggle to get minutes with us and this is the reason.
“With Chilly, he is a lovely guy but he will struggle. If you define this as brutal, it’s up to you to decide. For me, it’s not brutal, it’s just honest.”
Both Sterling and Chilwell have been training away from the main group of Chelsea players with neither stars part of the long-term plans under Maresca.
Maresca admitted that the isolated sessions at Cobham are “not comfortable”, and explained that some 15 PLAYERS are training away from the main group.
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The Blues’ inflated squad has hit headlines all summer as chief Todd Boehly continues to splash the cash in SW6.
But Maresca has insisted that, despite reports of a crowded dressing room, only 22 first team players are taking part in his training sessions.
On keeping such a large squad happy, he added: “It’s the job of every manager to keep them all happy but it’s almost impossible.
“Only 11 will play. It’s almost impossible to keep them all happy.
“I try always to be honest with all of them. The noise is more outside because I am working with 21 or 22 players since we are back from USA.
“I am not working with 42 or 43 players but more than 15 players are training apart.”
Both Sterling and Chilwell were left out of the matchday squad for Chelsea’s 2-0 defeat to Man City on Sunday.
And Raheem Sterling’s camp released a statement explaining he is “committed” to delivering for Chelsea despite being axed from the side.
Sterling's Chelsea days look numbered
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.
While the 29-year-old, alongside Chilwell, was also left out of the London club’s A-list squad submission to Uefa for the Conference League this season.
Sterling has now expressed a preference to leave Chelsea on a permanent basis since it has become clear that he is not part of the club’s plans.
Talks have been planned to discuss Sterling’s future before the fast-approaching transfer deadline.
While fractured relationships seem to be pointing towards a number of imminent exits, the arrivals at Stamford Bridge continue to flow.
Joao Felix was today announced as the Blues’ 10th summer signing in a deal worth £42.6m from Atletico Madrid.
The Portuguese playmaker re-joins Chelsea after spending the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan with the club.
While Cobham academy graduate Conor Gallagher headed the other way in an emotional £34m switch to Atletico.
Gallagher, who was also frozen out at Chelsea, leaves the Bridge after over 15 years on the books with the club he joined as a six-year-old.
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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.”