Raheem Sterling: Why Chelsea winger’s camp released statement before facing Man City

Raheem Sterling’s motivation for having his representatives put out a statement before Chelsea hosted Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday has been disclosed. 

An hour before kick-off, the 29-year-old’s camp issued a release keen to clarify his position at the club, having been excluded from Enzo Maresca’s 20-player squad against Pep Guardiola’s side. 

“Raheem Sterling is contracted to Chelsea Football Club for the next three years,” the statement read. “He returned to England two weeks early to conduct individual training and has had a positive pre-season under the new coach, who he has developed a good working relationship with.  

“He is committed, as ever, to delivering at the highest level for Chelsea FC and the fans, who he holds in high regard, and given his inclusion in official club pre-match material this week, our expectation was that Raheem would be involved in this weekend’s fixture in some capacity.  

“As a camp, we have always had positive dialogue with, and assurance from, Chelsea FC in relation to Raheem’s future at the club, so we look forward to gaining clarity on the situation. Until then, we will continue to support Raheem’s desire to start the new season positively.”

According to The Athletic, Sterling was already aware Maresca would leave him out before Sunday but wanted to communicate to the club in the immediate aftermath of Friday’s conversation with the Chelsea head coach. 

However, his representatives got no response from the club’s hierarchy, thus prompting the statement’s release before the Blues hosted Guardiola’s men. 

Maresca asserted that the decision was a “technical one”, due to the competition for places in Sterling’s position, with the winger’s future at the club now uncertain. 

The West London club return to continental action this Thursday against Servette in the Conference League before travelling to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, August 25, keen to bounce back from the 2-0 loss to Guardiola's side.