Legendary Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has criticised Chelsea for the way they treated Raheem Sterling.
Sterling was left out of the squad and his number seven was handed to new signing Pedro Neto.
Furthermore, new manager Enzo Maresca has asked the former Manchester City winger to look for a new club.
Chelsea have made new signings this summer in the wide positions and their squad is now stacked with plenty of options, which has pushed Sterling further down the pecking order.
Maresca has made it clear that Sterling is not part of his plans at the club and that the former Manchester City man should look to move away from the club if he wants game time.
Ferdinand expressed his views on TNT Sports (via Daily Mail) in the build-up to Brighton’s game against Manchester United, claiming that Chelsea had shown a lack of respect towards Sterling.
“I think that’s one of the most important things. I think I respect both ways, from the club’s point of view, but also from the players’ point of view.
“I think there’s been a lot of talk about Raheem Sterling’s statement, but I think the rumour is that I’m hearing there’s been no communication with him.
“And I think communication is probably one of the key words as well.
“If there’s no communication from above about what your role is going to be, given that you’ve probably played most of the preseason games and all of a sudden, on the eve of a season kickoff, you’re not involved.
“You have indicated your surplus compared to needs, but the hierarchy does not communicate it, so you have to force the hand of the people who have the power to come and speak and come to the table.
“And I think that’s what Raheem Sterling, that was the point of his statement. Because I would have done that.
“Yes, he was criticized. I would have done that. I would have, I would have forced the owners’ hand to say: listen, you have to come and tell them what’s going on.
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