Raheem Sterling’s Chelsea future in doubt after statement hits out at Man City squad snub

Sterling camp statement said the forward was ‘seeking clarity’ about why he had been sidelined

Raheem Sterling has demanded answers after being left out of Chelsea’s squad to face Manchester City in their opening game of the season.
In a statement that threatens to completely overshadow the clash at Stamford Bridge, Sterling’s camp said they will seek “clarity” from the club over why the 29-year-old was omitted.
The situation has thrown Sterling’s Chelsea future into further doubt, with the winger evidently expecting to be involved in this season opener against his former club.
Sterling’s representatives said: “Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years.
“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.
“Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”
Asked before the game about the omission of Sterling and Ben Chilwell from his squad, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca told Sky Sports: “It happens many times. The manager has to make some decisions. Sometimes players don’t like it, that’s normal.
“Just a technical decision, no more than that. We’ll see in the next days.”
Sterling and Chilwell are far from the only Chelsea players to have uncertain futures ahead of the closure of the transfer window at the end of this month.
As expected, there was also no place in the squad for academy graduates Conor Gallagher, who is still waiting to finalise his move to Atletico Madrid, and Trevoh Chalobah, who has been barred from using the club’s first-team facilities.
Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku and Armando Broja were not even listed as part of Chelsea’s squad on the matchday programme for the meeting with City.
Broja, another academy graduate, formerly wore number 19 for Chelsea but his number has now been given to new signing Pedro Neto instead.