Maresca has a huge squad with even bigger decisions to make (Picture: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Raheem Sterling is among the Chelsea stars left out of the squad for the club’s Europa Conference League play-off against Servette this week.
The Blues take on Swiss opposition on Thursday night with the return leg to follow in Switzerland on August 29 with the winners progressing to the group stages of the competition.
Sterling is left out of the squad for the second game in a row having been omitted from the group for the opening game of the Premier League season against Manchester City on Sunday – a decision that prompted a statement from his representatives asking for ‘clarity’ over his future.
‘Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years,’ Sterling’s camp said.
‘He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training, and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.
‘He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.
‘As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation.’
Sterling also left out of the squad at the weekend (Picture James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo were also not included in the squad.
Adarabioyo, who joined the club on a free transfer from Fulham this summer, was an unused substitute on Sunday against City with Fofana playing the full 90.
Like Sterling, Chilwell did not make the squad that day with Enzo Maresca last week urging the left-back to find a new club.
The Chelsea boss said: ‘The reason he did not play [in a pre-season friendly] versus Inter was because, with Chilly it is quite clear, even though I love the way he is, the problem is, he is struggling a bit to find the right position.
‘This morning we had 22 players training and if you ask all of them they will say they want to play against City on Sunday. But that is impossible. When you train every day and do not get any minutes it is not good for them or for me.
‘I need to make a decision and probably it is better to leave and go and get minutes. The transfer window is open so we’ll see what happens.’
Chelsea news, exclusives and analysis
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
