Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell among group of around 15 players training away from Chelsea’s first-team squad; “They are not working with me. I don’t see them,” says Enzo Maresca; summer signing Pedro Neto takes No 7 shirt off Sterling, who wants to stay in the Premier League

Enzo Maresca says Raheem Sterling is training away from Chelsea’s first team and is not in his plans as the head coach “prefers a different kind of winger”.

Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for Sterling just two years after he joined from Manchester City for £50m in 2022.

Maresca informed the 29-year-old last Friday that he was not in his plans this season and he was left out of the squad that lost to City last Sunday, as well as the team preparing to face Servette on Thursday.

Sterling’s No 7 shirt has also been given to summer signing Pedro Neto, who wore the No 19 shirt on his debut against Manchester City on Sunday.

Before the match against City, Sterling’s representatives released a statement asking for “clarity” over the winger’s future – a move that Jamie Carragher called “ridiculous”.

Massive fan of Raheem as a player & a lad.
Not a fan of the Chelsea set up with owners etc…
But this statement is ridiculous!
As a camp………..!
We look forward to gaining clarity…….!!
No need for a statement, especially an hour before kick off!!
Just play better 👍 https://t.co/fjVpJ9dwDN— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) August 18, 2024

Sterling’s representatives held talks with Chelsea at the end of last season and all signs led him to believe he would be staying this season, but it now appears the England international could have played his final game for the club.

Ahead of their Conference League play-off first leg at home to Servette, Maresca said: “I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player but I prefer a different kind of winger.”