Enzo Maresca has admitted there’s no way back for Raheem Sterling even if he finds himself still at the club after Friday’s deadline.
The Blues are set for a busy end to the window and have a lot to do in terms of outgoings, whilst they continue their search for a new striker with Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney among their options.
The biggest headache facing the club is how they are going to move on both Sterling and Ben Chilwell with there seemingly few suitors for the pair.
No way back for Sterling
Chelsea are facing the real prospect of many unwanted players still being at the club after the deadline which would put them in a difficult position.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s game against Servette on Thursday Maresca was asked what would happen if Sterling remained at the club after the deadline and he was brutally honest in his response.
“We’re going to see. Because I prefer to be honest with the player, with Raheem, I’ve been exactly the same,” he told reporters.
“The ones who are not involved, they are all players who are not going to be involved and they don’t get any minutes in case they stay.
“I don’t know what happens, when the window closes. We will see who is here and who is not here. The only thing I can say is the ones who are going to get minutes are the ones who I think can help us. The rest, they are going to go.”
Sterling’s career at Stamford Bridge is over after two seasons at the club in which he’s failed to live up to expectations following his £50m move from Manchester City in 2022.
The 29-year old is on a lucrative contract believed to be worth in excess of £300,000 per week and it’s been reported the Blues owe Sterling £70m in wages and bonuses for the remaining three years of his deal.
It’s thought Sterling wants tor reach a financial agreement with Chelsea before deciding his next move and there have been talks over a potential swap deal which would see Jadon Sancho come to Stamford Bridge, although a lot needs to happen for that to become a real possibility and the clock is ticking.
