Raheem Sterling granted LEAVE from Chelsea training after being frozen out by Enzo Maresca as winger seeks Blues exit
RAHEEM STERLING is training at home after being frozen out at Chelsea by Enzo Maresca.
The winger is set to leave the Blues this summer and after reportedly ruling out a move to Saudi Arabia is now seeking a new club with the help of the Blues.
Sterling was left out of the matchday squad for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester City.
He has since been left out of first-team training at the club’s Cobham training ground.
The 29-year-old is now training at home after a mutual agreement for him to leave Chelsea’s base this week.
Sterling is said to be keen to revive his international career by leaving Stamford Bridge.
He has had clear the air talks with Chelsea and both sides are now working together to find him a new club before the window shuts next Friday, the Daily Mail reports.
He has 20 goals in 82 caps for England but has not appeared for the Three Lions since the 2022 World Cup.
Juventus have previously shown interest in signing Sterling, who has also been offered to Aston Villa.
However, the BBC also report he has ruled out a move to the Saudi Pro League as it stands.
New boss Maresca bluntly admitted this week that Sterling is not part of his plans after axing him against City.
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The forward’s team revealed he was “seeking clarity” after the snub and he has also been left out of the squad for Thursday’s Conference League clash with Servette.
Maresca addressed the situation as well as that of Ben Chilwell during his pre-match press conference, explaining: “They are training apart. As I said, the situation is quite clear and there is not any update on the situation.
Raheem Sterling's statement
After he was left out of the Chelsea squad to face Manchester City, Raheem Sterling’s team released a statement.
The statement read: “Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years. He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.
“He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.
“As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.
“Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”
“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.”
He also added: “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.”
Sterling has lost his shirt number as his Chelsea exit edges closer, with Pedro Neto taking the number seven from him.
He joined the club on a five-year deal from City in 2022 after seven years at the Etihad Stadium.
In the two seasons since, Sterling has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists in 81 appearances.
Elsewhere, Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah also appear on their way out of Chelsea.
Chalobah has lost his squad number to new signing Joao Felix, whilst Chilwell has reportedly been offered to Manchester United.
Sterling's Chelsea stats
Appearances – 81
Goals – 19
Assists – 12
Minutes played – 5,339