New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has issued a stark warning to the club's so-called 'bomb squad' players, making it unequivocally clear that those who failed to secure moves away from Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window have no future under his leadership.
The Italian tactician revealed he hasn't even seen England international Raheem Sterling since pre-season preparations began, in what represents a brutal assessment of the waning fortunes of several high-profile stars.
No Second Chances for Chelsea Outcasts
Maresca's blunt message leaves little room for interpretation for the group of players deemed surplus to requirements. Despite their failure to secure exits during the window, the manager has firmly shut the door on their first-team prospects.
'There is no way back into the plans for those who were told they could leave,' Maresca stated emphatically, underscoring the club's hardline approach to reshaping the squad according to his vision.
Sterling's Surprising Absence
Most notably, Maresca confirmed that Raheem Sterling, once considered one of Chelsea's marquee signings, has been completely absent from his pre-season preparations. The revelation will send shockwaves through the football community regarding the 29-year-old's future at the club.
'I have not seen him since summer,' Maresca revealed about the former Manchester City and Liverpool star, whose £47.5 million move to Chelsea in 2022 now appears increasingly precarious.
Clearing the Decks for a New Era
The manager's uncompromising stance signals a definitive break from recent seasons and a clear intention to build around a core group of players who buy into his philosophy. This approach mirrors the ruthless efficiency he demonstrated during his successful stint at Leicester City.
Chelsea's extensive summer recruitment drive, which saw several new arrivals, now appears to have come at the expense of those who previously occupied key roles in the squad.
What Next for the Bomb Squad?
With the summer transfer window closed until January, the affected players face months in professional limbo. Their options are severely limited:
- Training separately from the first team
- Seeking loan moves in markets where windows remain open
- Potential contract terminations by mutual consent
- Biding time until the January window opens
Maresca's declaration sets the tone for a new, uncompromising era at Chelsea where sentimentality takes a back seat to tactical discipline and squad cohesion.
