Sterling Left Out of Chelsea’s Season Opener

Raheem Sterling is feeling a bit lost after not being included in Chelsea‘s squad for their season opener against a rival team. The 29-year-old had a busy pre-season, participating in all six matches during a tour in the United States, so his absence on the matchday came as a surprise.

New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca had previously called Sterling ‘an important player,’ which raised expectations that he’d be part of the team’s plans moving forward. But things took an unexpected turn when he was left out entirely for Chelsea’s opening game.

In a statement released by Sterling’s camp, they mentioned that he is under contract with Chelsea for another three years and had worked hard during pre-season. He even returned to England early to focus on individual training, aiming for a strong start to the new season.

His representatives noted that they had good communication with Chelsea about Sterling’s future and were looking for clarity regarding his situation following his omission from the matchday squad. They expressed their support and commitment towards helping him perform at his best for the club.

Maresca, when asked about Sterling’s absence, explained that it was just a technical decision that managers have to make, sometimes leading to tough choices that don’t sit well with players.

Sterling joined Chelsea from Manchester City in July 2022 for £47.5 million and has made numerous appearances since, scoring 19 goals across all competitions. However, with Chelsea acquiring new players like Pedro Neto, it seems the competition for places is heating up within the squad.