Enzo Maresca, who previously highlighted Raheem Sterling as a crucial member of the squad during the pre-season, made a surprising choice by excluding the winger from his lineup for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Manchester City.
This decision immediately raised eyebrows, given Sterling’s prominence in the team.
Following this unexpected move, Sterling’s representatives issued a response.
However, it was later clarified that their statement was not released just an hour before the match began, as some speculated.
Instead, it was prepared after rumors began circulating days before the game that Sterling might be left out.
The response only surfaced once the decision to exclude Sterling became official.
Maresca later addressed the situation, referring to Sterling’s omission as a “technical decision.”
However, when asked directly if he anticipated Sterling remaining with the club beyond the current transfer window, Maresca offered an uncertain response. “I don’t know,” he admitted.
He emphasized that the decision to leave Sterling out was purely technical, adding that the situation would be clarified in the coming days.
Maresca stressed that it wasn’t an issue of personal preference but rather a matter of squad management, stating, “For all the players, they are Chelsea players.
If they are going to be Chelsea players, then we will try to use them, but no more than a technical decision.
I want Raheem Sterling, but I want all the 30 players we have. But there is no space for all of them. So for some of them, they have to leave.”
Alongside Sterling, other notable absences from the squad included Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, and Axel Disasi.
Chilwell’s exclusion was less surprising, especially after Maresca had openly suggested that the left-back should consider moving away from the club to seek more playing time elsewhere.
However, the absence of Chukwuemeka and Disasi sparked further questions about their futures at Chelsea.
Maresca provided some insight into Disasi’s situation, explaining that the defender had not been fully fit leading up to the match, which likely influenced the decision to leave him out.
However, when it came to Chukwuemeka, Maresca hinted that the young midfielder’s future might lie away from Stamford Bridge.
He noted that while Chukwuemeka is a highly talented player, his development has been hindered by previous injuries.
“I think every case is different,” Maresca said. “Carney, I think he is a very good player.
“The problem is, because of some injuries in the past, I think the best for him is to play 30 or 35 games in a row, to show himself that he is fit and how good he is because he is very good.
“With us, is he going to play 35 games? I’m not sure.”
Maresca’s comments suggest that while he recognizes Chukwuemeka’s potential, the midfielder may need to find consistent playing time elsewhere to truly showcase his abilities.
This situation highlights the challenges facing both players and managers in balancing squad depth with the need for individual development and game time.
