Whether Raheem Sterling could now stay at Chelsea

Add as preferred source on Google

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has once again made it clear that he does not want Raheem Sterling.

Raheem Sterling is not currently part of Enzo Maresca‘s group at Cobham, and the Italian reiterated to reporters in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that the winger is not part of his plans.

Former Chelsea player Vinnie Jones thinks Sterling should now consider retiring, though that seems highly unlikely with the England international still only 29.

Sterling may end up feeling like a retired footballer, though, if he stays at Chelsea, with Maresca having warned him and the club’s other outcasts that they will not get minutes under him.

• READ MORE: Former Chelsea player names the real winner of potential Jadon Sancho and Raheem Sterling swap deal

What insiders are saying about Raheem Sterling’s future

Really, then, Sterling needs to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes on Friday.

If the former Manchester City star does not, then he risks not playing any football until January, when the market reopens.

There is still enough time for him to secure a move away from west London, with The Sun reporting that Chelsea’s late push for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho could see Sterling head in the opposite direction.

At the same time, though, their report also claims that insiders are saying there is just as much chance of Sterling staying at Chelsea.

Sancho wants to join Chelsea, so a swap deal involving the 24-year-old and his England teammate still seems very much possible.

When did Raheem Sterling join Chelsea?

Chelsea signed Sterling from City in July 2022, arriving for a £50m fee. It means he has only been at the Blues for two years, yet it is definitely time for him to go.

After everything Maresca has said, his Chelsea career is over. The former Liverpool man is not going to play under him.

Sterling has found life in west London difficult, so a move could actually benefit him. He was only able to score six Premier League goals in his first season at the club and could only up that tally by two the following campaign.