Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been absolutely ruthless since arriving at the club.
Enzo Maresca has already kicked Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, two established first-team players, out of the senior squad.
Both men now need to leave Chelsea before Friday’s transfer deadline, otherwise they risk not playing any football in the first half of the season.
It has been claimed, though, that Chilwell is unlikely to depart Chelsea, who have been using Marc Cucurella and Renato Veiga in the left-back position instead of him.
- READ MORE: Former Chelsea player says whether Raheem Sterling should consider retiring from football
Paul Merson thinks Raheem Sterling is hurt right now
Maresca has made it clear on more than one occasion that Sterling is not in his plans.
After hearing that, Paul Merson thinks that the winger “will be hurting” as Chelsea try to offload him before the transfer closes.
Speaking to Sky Sports about the 29-year-old, he said: “There’ll be a little bit of pride, a bit of ego will be hurting him.
“He’s a good footballer and the manager’s just come in and he’s saying things like that, you’re not going to play again, won’t get another minute.”
Like with Chilwell, there is also a chance of Sterling staying at Chelsea, but remaining at Stamford Bridge would not be good for either player.
What has Enzo Maresca said about Raheem Sterling?
Maresca has warned Sterling, Chilwell and the rest of Chelsea’s other outcasts that they will not play under him if they remain at Stamford Bridge.
“Raheem is a fantastic guy who has trained very well,” the Italian was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. “Every manager has a different idea and he is the kind of winger that is not one that I like. History and numbers speak for Raheem.
“He knows exactly what he needs to do. The rest are training apart, they are not going to get minutes. I have been clear and honest with them.”
It sounds brutal, but perhaps that is how Chelsea need to be right now. They have been on the decline and need standards to rise if they are to become a top team again.
That is not going to happen with high-earning underperformers around. Unfortunately for Sterling, he falls into that category.
According to Spotrac, the England international earns £325,000 a week, while he only managed to score six league goals in his first season at the club.
Sterling has been at Chelsea for two years. As ruthless as Maresca has been, he can have few complaints about the Blues upgrading on him. He has not done enough for a player of his quality.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
