Many were surprised ahead of the Premier League derby clash between Chelsea and Manchester City when they saw no Raheem Sterling in Enzo Maresca’s squad. The Englishman was not injured, and he participated in every pre-season game the Blues played during the summer break.Statement from Raheem Sterling’s team regarding his exclusion from the Chelsea squad today… 👊🏴 pic.twitter.com/y4SU5BJ0R3— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) August 18, 2024 If everyone was surprised, Sterling himself was shocked, immediately requesting an explanation and clarification of his situation at the club. The former he got in Maresca’s vague and “sloppy” statement at the post-match press conference.”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,” said the Italian as Football.London reports.🗣️ “There is not space for all of them…”Has Raheem Sterling shot himself in the foot with his statement before Chelsea’s game against Man City? pic.twitter.com/I9hhrbWqAs— 90min (@90min_Football) August 19, 2024 And while this could be interpreted as a clear “we don’t need you and you have to leave” sign, former players, pundits, and the public in general took Sterling’s side. First among them – Rio Ferdinand.”I see all the young players, especially in that squad, talk about Raheem, it’s like Uncle Raheem. Cole Palmer, the likes of Reece James, it’s Uncle Raheem. And he’s looked after a lot of these boys, they come to him, so when you kick that guy in the changing room, all of them are going to limp at some point and they aren’t going to take it well and you create a problem in your own dressing room,” Ferdinand highlighted Sterling’s importance in the locker room, speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents.🗣️ Rio Ferdinand talking about Raheem Sterling’s situation at Chelsea:”He’s got no understanding of what is happening… No-one has had that conversation with him to tell him he’s surplus to requirements.” pic.twitter.com/X88P2BAvbT— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) August 19, 2024 However, he didn’t stop there, slamming Chelsea for poor treatment of one of their most experienced players.”There’s nobody delivering that message with any clarity, and from what I’m hearing he has got no understanding of where his situation lies. He hasn’t had anyone in the hierarchy come to him and say: “Listen, you’re surplus to requirements, we want to get rid of you.” And what I’m hearing is that the last conversation that was had was like “everything is fine”. I’m hearing they’re getting told (updates) by email and stuff like that. This is wild,” said former Man United defender and England international harshly.Osimhen’s transfer jump-starting the merry-go-round: Chelsea to fill Napoli and United’s accountsApart from Ferdinand, former Man City defender Joleon Lescott and former Chelsea forward and now a pundit Daniel Sturridge, supported Sterling as well. However, the eventual solution of this sudden conundrum is still not on the horizon.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 1FridayMan.Utd. – Fulham 1-0 (0-0)/Zirkzee 87/SaturdayIpswich – Liverpool 0-2 (0-0)/Jota 60, Salah 65/Arsenal – Wolverhampton 2-0 (1-0)/Havertz 25 Saka 74 /Everton – Brighton 0-3 (0-1)/Mitoma 25, Welbeck 56, Adingra 86/Newcastle – Southampton 1-0 (1-0)/Joelington 45/Nott.Forest – Bournemouth 1-1 (1-0)/Wood 23 – Semenyo 86/West Ham – Aston Villa 1-2 (1-1)/Paqueta 37(p) – Onana 3, Duran 79/SundayBrentford – Crystal Palace 2-1 (1-0)/Mbeumo 29, Wissa 76 – Pinnock 57 og/Chelsea – Man. City 0-2 (0-1)/Haaland 18, Kovacic 84/Monday22:00: (5.20) Leicester (4.00) Tottenham (1.65)***odds are subject to change***
