Enzo Maresca has warned that Raheem Sterling and Chelsea’s other exiled first-team players will not get playing time under him if they stay at the club beyond Friday’s transfer deadline.
Sterling heads a long list of players training away from Maresca’s first-team squad at Cobham after losing his squad number to summer signing Pedro Neto. Ben Chilwell, Chelsea’s vice-captain last season, was also encouraged this week to look for another club.
Earlier this week The athlete Sterling reportedly wants to sort out his contract situation with Chelsea (he has three years left on his contract, earning him more than £300,000-a-week) before speaking to interested clubs, but Maresca says any out-of-favour player who does not leave Stamford Bridge this week will face a long layoff until the January transfer window opens.
When asked what Sterling’s situation will be if he remains a Chelsea player after the transfer deadline, Maresca replied: “We will see. I prefer to be honest with the players and I was the same with Raheem.”
“Those who are not involved will not be involved and they will not get playing time if they stay.
“I don’t know what will happen when the transfer window closes. We’ll see who’s here and who’s not. The only thing I can say is that those who get playing time are the ones I think can help us.”
Asked if this meant Sterling would not play for Chelsea if he stayed, Maresca replied: “It’s not just about Raheem. It’s about all the players who are training separately at the moment. When the transfer window closes, they will not get playing time. I have been clear and honest with them, that is the reason.”
Maresca says Chelsea have no new injury concerns ahead of the second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier against Servette, but Neto and Malo Gusto have been left in London as a precautionary measure.
“Reece (James) is out, Romeo (Lavia) is still out and Pedro and Malo are not in the squad tomorrow, just for prevention reasons, not because of any problems,” he said.
When asked if there was a timeframe for James and Lavia’s return, Maresca replied: “Hopefully after the international break, hopefully.”
GO DEEPER
Sterling prioritises Chelsea’s contract situation over transfer talks
(Lyndsay Radnedge/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
