In a seismic early decision from new Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, star winger Raheem Sterling has been conspicuously absent from the main first-team training group, sparking immediate speculation about his future at the club.
The £47.5 million signing from Manchester City was notably relegated to training away from the core squad at the club's Cobham training base this week. This move sends a powerful and unambiguous message that the England international does not currently feature in the Italian manager's immediate plans.
Maresca's Major Statement
The exclusion represents the first major bombshell of the Maresca era, which officially began on July 1st. It underscores the new manager's intent to wield absolute authority over his squad's composition and is viewed as a brutal demonstration of his ruthless streak.
Sterling, once considered a marquee signing, now finds himself in a state of limbo alongside other high-profile players like Trevoh Chalobah, who was also training separately. This suggests a significant clearing of the decks is underway as Maresca molds the squad in his image.
A Tumultuous Season and an Uncertain Future
The decision follows a challenging season for the 29-year-old, where he struggled for consistent form and found himself in and out of the starting eleven under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino. Despite finishing the campaign with a respectable return of 10 goals and 8 assists across all competitions, his performances often drew criticism from sections of the Chelsea support.
This training ground snub will inevitably fuel intense transfer speculation. With two years remaining on his lucrative contract, a potential move away from Stamford Bridge is now a distinct possibility. Clubs in the Saudi Pro League have previously expressed interest, while a move to another Premier League rival cannot be ruled out.
For Chelsea and Maresca, this bold gambit is a high-risk strategy. It either paves the way for Sterling's exit to free up funds for new signings, or it serves as the ultimate motivational tool to provoke a reaction from the experienced forward. All eyes will now be on Cobham to see what the next chapter holds for Raheem Sterling.
