Ahead of Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League play-off second leg against Servette, Maresca reiterated his stance that Sterling, England left-back Ben Chilwell and the other players he has so far left out of the team will not play for him.
“I prefer to be honest with the players,” he said. “Those who aren’t there won’t be there and they won’t get playing time if they stay.”
“I don’t know what will happen when the transfer window closes and they’re still here. The ones who get playing time are the ones who I think can help us.”
“Raheem is a fantastic guy who has trained very well. Every coach has a different idea and he is the type of winger I don’t like. The history and the numbers speak for Raheem. He knows exactly what he has to do.
“The rest are training separately, they will not get any playing time. I was clear and honest with them.”
Chelsea have signed ten players this summer and given key player Cole Palmer a contract extension until 2033.
But Maresca denied the claim that it was “a crazy club”.
He added: “I can say that this is not a crazy club. Since I joined the club, we have been working in one direction. The players who have arrived are the ones we wanted to bring in.”
“There is a clear direction in which the club wants to go.”
