It’s probably the end. Between Chelsea and Raheem Sterling, the adventure could end before its term. Not called up by Enzo Maresca for the opening of the Premier League season against Manchester City on Sunday (2-0 defeat), the Englishman now no longer has a shirt number.
Indeed, the winger saw his number 7 that he has worn since his arrival at the Blues in 2022, to be assigned to Pedro Neto, newly recruited and who until then had the number 19 on his back. Pedro Neto, who wore number 19 against Manchester City, will wear number 7 until the end of the season “, the club said in a statement.
“It’s probably better that they leave.”
The message is quite clear, the 29-year-old is being pushed towards the exit, while he has three years left on his contract. The new Chelsea coach makes no secret of it, Sterling does not fit into his plans. I said, and I can repeat it in case it’s not clear: I spoke with Raheem before the game against Manchester City. I told him that he was going to have a hard time getting minutes with us, and that’s the reason why he’s not in the squad. “, he admitted at a press conference on the eve of facing Servette Geneva in the Europa League play-offs.
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« We have a large squad and it is impossible to give minutes to everyone, he lets go in the process. If some of them want minutes, it’s probably better that they leave. I don’t think I’m being brutal. I’m just trying to be honest. “So it’s probably the end of the story for the former Mancunian after 81 matches with Chelsea, 19 goals and 12 assists.
