Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has fuelled speculation Raheem Sterling could leave after dropping the winger from his squad to face Manchester City.
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Sterling dropped from Chelsea squadWinger demands clarity on his club futureMaresca admits exits are neededWHAT HAPPENED?
Sterling's future at Chelsea has been plunged into fresh doubt after new boss Enzo Maresca dropped the winger from his squad to face Manchester City. The move was met with a swift reponse from Sterling's camp. His representatives issued a statement demanding "clarity" on his future and making it clear he had been expecting to feature against Pep Guardiola's side.
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The situation has already attracted criticism from Chelsea fans who have been left unimpressed with Sterling's attitude. A possible move away from Chelsea does now appear a strong possibility for Sterling, with Maresca's comments on the winger likely to fuel speculation further about a summer exit from the club.
WHAT MARESCA SAID
The Chelsea boss had the following response when asked if he wants Sterling in his squad. He told reporters: "I want all 30 players but there is no space for all of them so some have to leave."
Maresca also spoke about Sterling's statement in an interview to BBC Match of the Day: "To be honest, I didn't see the statement. I have nothing to say. It was a tactical decision, no more than that. in the next day, we will clarify in case we need to. I have been clear, it's a tactical decision. I didn't see it."
DID YOU KNOW?
Sterling's absence against Manchester City meant that the former Liverpool winger failed to feature in his club's first game of the Premier League season for the first time since 2012-13.